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[Glucocorticoids induced neuropsychiatric disorders].
Françoise Cornic1, Inqrid Rousset
1Service de psychiatrie, secteur 13, hôpital Sainte-Anne, Paris. fcornic@gmail.com
La Revue Du Praticien
|June 6, 2008
Summary
Glucocorticoids can cause psychiatric issues like mania and cognitive problems, affecting memory. Stopping these steroids may also lead to withdrawal symptoms, including depression.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Glucocorticoids are widely used for their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects.
- Corticosteroid therapy can induce a range of psychiatric and cognitive adverse effects.
- Understanding these side effects is crucial for patient management and safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the psychiatric and cognitive disorders induced by glucocorticoids.
- To describe the clinical manifestations and incidence of these disorders.
- To discuss the potential mechanisms and implications of glucocorticoid-induced toxicity.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on glucocorticoid-induced psychiatric and cognitive disorders.
- Analysis of reported cases and clinical observations.
- Synthesis of current knowledge on the topic.
Main Results:
- Psychiatric disorders, particularly manic symptoms, are common early side effects of glucocorticoid therapy (incidence ~5% for moderate to severe reactions).
- Acute cognitive impairments, affecting hippocampal-dependent memory, are frequent but generally moderate.
- Chronic cognitive disorders are rare and complex, not solely explained by hippocampal changes.
- Withdrawal symptoms, predominantly depressive, occur frequently upon cessation of corticosteroid treatment.
Conclusions:
- Glucocorticoid therapy is associated with significant psychiatric and cognitive risks.
- Early recognition and management of these adverse effects are essential.
- Withdrawal symptoms may contribute to the potential for glucocorticoid dependence.
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