Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

Diurnal profiles of salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase change across the adult lifespan: Evidence from repeated daily life assessments

  • University of Marburg
  • University of British Columbia

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

111 Scopus citations

Abstract

Salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase are known to have distinctive diurnal profiles. However, little is known about systematic changes in these biomarkers across the adult lifespan. In a study of 185 participants (aged 20-81 years), time-stamped salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase were collected 7 times/day over 10 days. Samples were taken upon waking, 30. min later, and then approximately every 3. h until 9. pm. Multilevel models showed that older age was associated with increased daily cortisol secretion as indicated by greater area under the curve, attenuated wake-evening slopes, and more pronounced cortisol awakening responses. Further, older age was related to greater daily alpha-amylase output and attenuated wake-evening slopes. No age differences were observed regarding the alpha-amylase awakening response. Our findings may contribute to a better understanding of age-related differences in functioning of stress-related systems.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3167-3171
Number of pages5
JournalPsychoneuroendocrinology
Volume38
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2013

Keywords

  • Aging
  • Cortisol
  • Lifespan
  • Salivary alpha-amylase

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Diurnal profiles of salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase change across the adult lifespan: Evidence from repeated daily life assessments'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this