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Cognitive and affective disorders in the elderly: a neuroendocrine study
E Ferrari1, M Mirani, L Barili
1Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapy, University of Pavia, I -27100 Pavia, Italy. ferrari@unipv.it
Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics. Supplement
|June 23, 2004
Summary
Aging brains exhibit altered cortisol and DHEAS patterns, especially with dementia or depression. Depressive symptoms amplify these age-related adrenal changes, impacting mood and memory regulation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Gerontology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Brain aging, both physiological and pathological, is linked to cognitive and affective disorders.
- These disorders correlate with changes in brain areas controlling mood, learning, memory, and the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the circadian rhythm of serum cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) in elderly individuals with dementia and depression.
- To compare these patterns with healthy elderly and young control groups.
Main Methods:
- Studied the circadian rhythm of serum cortisol and DHEAS.
- Compared 25 old demented patients, 10 old unipolar depressed patients, 21 old controls, and 13 young controls.
Main Results:
- Cortisol circadian rhythm was flattened in elderly subjects (healthy and demented) compared to young controls, with higher nighttime levels.
- Depression (minor or major) in elderly subjects further increased mean and nocturnal cortisol levels.
- Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) secretion declined with age, exacerbated by dementia and major depression.
- The cortisol/DHEAS ratio, an index of brain steroidal milieu, increased with aging and further with dementia or depression.
Conclusions:
- Aging is associated with altered adrenal steroidal secretion patterns.
- Depression, even mild symptoms, amplifies these age-related changes in cortisol and DHEAS secretion.
- These hormonal shifts may contribute to cognitive and affective disorders during brain aging.
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