Associations between brain activity and endogenous and exogenous cortisol - A systematic review

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Endocrinology
• Psychology

Background:

• Glucocorticoids, such as cortisol, are key stress hormones with known effects on the body.
• The precise impact of glucocorticoids on human brain function, encompassing both endogenous and exogenous sources, requires systematic clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and synthesize findings on the association between cortisol levels and human brain function.
• To understand how endogenous and exogenous cortisol influence neural activity in various brain regions.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of studies investigating cortisol and human brain function.
• Analysis of findings related to endogenous cortisol during stress and its effects on brain activity.
• Analysis of findings related to exogenous cortisol administration and its effects on brain activity.

Main Results:

• Endogenous cortisol during stress is linked to altered activity in the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex.
• Exogenous cortisol administration affects activity in regions including the anterior cingulate cortex, postcentral gyrus, and superior frontal gyrus.
• Both natural and administered cortisol show effects on the amygdala and hippocampus, consistent with animal studies.

Conclusions:

• Cortisol significantly modulates human brain function, influencing regions critical for stress response, emotional processing, and memory.
• Understanding these effects is crucial for comprehending stress-related disorders and the impact of corticosteroid therapies.
• The findings highlight the complex interplay between the endocrine system and neural circuits in humans.