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Cortisol secretion and Alzheimer's disease progression
M F Weiner1, S Vobach, K Olsson
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, USA.
Biological Psychiatry
|December 5, 1997
Summary
Mild hypercortisolemia in Alzheimer's disease (AD) correlates with disease progression but not with aging or survival. Higher cortisol levels indicate greater cognitive impairment in AD patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Mild hypercortisolemia is commonly observed in Alzheimer's disease (AD).
- The relationship between serum cortisol levels and AD progression, aging, and survival requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between serum cortisol concentration and Alzheimer's disease progression.
- To determine if cortisol levels correlate with aging and survival in individuals with Alzheimer's disease.
Main Methods:
- Followed 9 individuals with Alzheimer's disease (ages 56-84) from an initial cohort of 19.
- Utilized serial cognitive testing with a modified Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive (mADAS-COG).
- Measured serum cortisol at noon and used an Afternoon Cortisol Test (ACT) for average cortisol estimation.
Main Results:
- Baseline noon cortisol levels significantly correlated with changes in mADAS-COG scores (r = .90, p < .01).
- Afternoon Cortisol Test (ACT) levels increased with cognitive decline, indicating greater impairment.
- Cortisol levels did not show a significant increase with aging alone and were not related to survival.
Conclusions:
- Hypercortisolemia in Alzheimer's disease is linked to clinical disease progression.
- Cortisol levels in AD patients are not significantly associated with the aging process or patient survival.