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Related Experiment Videos

Decrease in cortisol reverses human hippocampal atrophy following treatment of Cushing's disease.

M N Starkman1, B Giordani, S S Gebarski

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, USA.

Biological Psychiatry
|January 7, 2000
PubMed
Summary

Human hippocampal atrophy linked to high cortisol levels is reversible. Treatment for Cushing's disease led to significant hippocampal volume increases, showing the brain's recovery potential.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Neuroimaging
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Elevated cortisol levels, seen in Cushing's syndrome and stress, are linked to decreased hippocampal volume.
  • Animal studies demonstrate stress-induced hippocampal atrophy can be reversed.
  • This study explored the reversibility of human hippocampal atrophy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential for reversibility of human hippocampal atrophy.
  • To assess changes in hippocampal volume following treatment for Cushing's disease.

Main Methods:

  • Included 22 patients diagnosed with Cushing's disease.
  • Utilized magnetic resonance brain imaging before and after transsphenoidal microadenomectomy.

Main Results:

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  • Hippocampal formation volume (HFV) increased up to 10% post-treatment.
  • HFV increase was significantly greater than caudate head volume changes.
  • HFV increase correlated with decreased urinary free cortisol levels, even after adjustments.

Conclusions:

  • Human hippocampal volume changes due to sustained hypercortisolemia are partially reversible after cortisol reduction.
  • The human hippocampus shows heightened sensitivity to cortisol, impacting both volume loss and recovery.
  • This suggests targeted treatment can restore hippocampal structure and function.