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Effect of two prednisone exposures on mood and declarative memory
E Sherwood Brown1, Laura Beard, Alan B Frol
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-8849, USA. Sherwood.Brown@UTSouthwestern.edu
Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
|February 7, 2006
Summary
Repeated prednisone exposure led to habituation, not sensitization, to its effects on declarative memory. Mood remained unaffected in this study investigating corticosteroid effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychopharmacology
Background:
- Corticosteroids are vital for stress response but excess can harm the brain, affecting mood and memory.
- Previous exposure to corticosteroids may heighten their effects, suggesting sensitization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively examine the effects of multiple corticosteroid exposures on human mood and declarative memory.
- To investigate whether repeated prednisone exposure leads to sensitization or tolerance.
Main Methods:
- 30 volunteers received two 3-day exposures of prednisone (60 mg/day) and one placebo in a crossover design.
- Declarative memory (Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test) and mood (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Young Mania Rating Scale, Internal State Scale) were assessed before and after exposures.
Main Results:
- Prednisone significantly impaired declarative memory after the first exposure.
- The memory impairment was significantly less pronounced after the second prednisone exposure.
- No significant mood changes were observed.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest habituation or tolerance, not sensitization, to prednisone's effects on declarative memory with repeated exposure.
- This challenges the sensitization hypothesis for corticosteroid-induced mood and memory changes.