Neuroendocrine coupling across adolescence and the longitudinal influence of early life stress

Drawing on conceptual models illustrating the advantages of a multisystemic, interactive, developmental approach to understanding development, the present study examines the covariation of stress and sex hormones across the adolescent transition and the effect of early life stress (ELS) on neuroendocrine couplingto gain insight into atypical development. Morning levels of cortisol, testosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone(DHEA) were assessed at ages 11, 13, and 15; ELS was assessed during the infancy and preschool periods. Hierarchical linear modeling revealed that cortisol-DHEA couplingpatterns progressed to tight, positive couplingacross adolescence. Cortisol-testosterone couplingwas positive at age 11 but became more negative at ages 13 and 15. Exposure to ELS resulted in more adultlike neuroendocrine couplingpatterns earlier in life than non-exposed youth; however the effect of ELS on cortisol-testosterone couplingwas unique to girls. Results illustrate trajectories of neuroendocrine couplingthat may be unique to adolescence. Moderation by ELS suggests that early stress exposure may prompt earlier adultlike neuroendocrine coupling, particularly within girls, which may contribute to early pubertal development. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. DevPsychobiol 57: 688–704, 2015.