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Cortisol levels during human aging predict hippocampal atrophy and memory deficits
S J Lupien1, M de Leon, S de Santi
1Douglas Hospital Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Verdun, Québec, Canada.
Nature Neuroscience
|April 9, 1999
Summary
High cortisol levels in older adults are linked to smaller hippocampus size and memory problems. Prolonged cortisol elevation may cause this hippocampal damage, impairing learning and memory.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Elevated glucocorticoids are known to cause hippocampal dysfunction and spatial learning deficits in aged rats.
- Previous studies linked persistent cortisol increases to memory impairments in elderly humans over five years.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between prolonged cortisol elevations, hippocampal volume, and memory function in aged humans.
- To determine if basal cortisol elevation causes hippocampal damage and impairs hippocampus-dependent learning and memory.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of aged humans with prolonged cortisol elevations versus normal-cortisol controls.
- Assessment of hippocampal volume using neuroimaging techniques.
- Evaluation of hippocampus-dependent memory tasks.
Main Results:
- Aged humans with significant prolonged cortisol elevations exhibited reduced hippocampal volume.
- These individuals also showed deficits in hippocampus-dependent memory tasks.
- Hippocampal atrophy strongly correlated with both the degree of cortisol elevation over time and current basal cortisol levels.
Conclusions:
- Basal cortisol elevation may cause hippocampal damage in aged humans.
- Elevated cortisol levels can impair hippocampus-dependent learning and memory.