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. For many years asthma has been treated with exogenous corticosteroids, but little is known about the role of corticosteroids produced by the body (endogenous) in response to stress are associated with the course of asthma or allergy. Several recent studies have found that varying the level of endogenous steroids in individuals with asthma or allergy affected their clinical response. At the same time, there is a growing body of information available that shows that endogenous corticosteroid levels and patterns vary systematically with exposure to different types of stresses and psychological adjustment patterns. We propose to obtain information about life-long stress in a cohort of allergic adolescents that has been followed since birth in a study of psychological factors and asthma onset. We will also evaluate their current psychological adjustment. After obtaining baseline cortisol levels from saliva samples, we will study the relationship between salivary cortisol and lifetime stress and current adjustment. We will also examine the relationship between asthma severity and lifetime stress. Using a sample of blood, we will explore the relationship between lifetime stress and a number of immune functions that may vary in relation to stress status, thus providing a mechanism that may link stress and asthma. Study in Data Analysis Only 07/29/05
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