ENDOTHELIAL FUNCTION IN TEENAGE GIRLS

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. he purpose of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility of measuring endothelial function in adolescent girls with and without psychiatric diagnoses. This pilot study will collect data to present in the Preliminary Studies section of an NIH grant proposal to be submitted on 10/1/06. The study in the proposal will investigate if adolescent depression or conduct disorder is associated with risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), including compromised endothelial function. CVD is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in adult women and men. There appear to be multiple pathways to CVD, but markers of cardiovascular system pathology may be evident as early as childhood. Several studies have suggested that one of the intermediate steps between early risk factors and CVD is endothelial dysfunction. Certain types of psychopathology may increase the risk for CVD. Adult studies indicate that CVD is associated with a pre-morbid history of depression and that depression predicts a poorer prognosis. The mechanism of this association is not known , but hyperactivity of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis is likely to play a role through the development of the metabolic syndrome. Antisocial behavior, such as adolescent conduct disorder may also be associated with increased risk for later cardiovascular disease because of HPA axis hypoactivity. Previous work by our group and others has demonstrated that chronic underactivity is associated with elevated levels of inflammation. Prolonged inflammation, as manifested by characteristics such as elevated C-reactive protein is a well-described risk factor for adult cardiovascular disease. If we can demonstrate that certain forms of adolescent psychopathology are associated with cardiovascular disease risk factors in the larger study, it will enable us to identify a group of teens in need of preventive work. Furthermore, behavioral phenotypes with different types of risk factors may increase our understanding of the multiple paths to adult cardiovascular disease.