 |
| Research article summary (published 30 Mar 2002): |
The modulatory effects of corticosteroids on cognition: studies in young human populations.
Full Abstract
In the present article, we report on two studies performed in young human populations which tested the cognitive impact of glucocorticoids (GC) in situations of decreased or increased ratio of mineralocorticoid (MR) and glucocorticoid (GR) receptor occupation. In the first study, we used a hormone replacement protocol in which we pharmacologically decreased cortisol levels by administration of metyrapone and then restored baseline cortisol levels by a subsequent hydrocortisone replacement treatment. Memory function was tested after each pharmacological manipulation. We observed that metyrapone treatment significantly impaired delayed recall, while hydrocortisone replacement restored performance at placebo level. In the second study, we took advantage of the circadian variation of circulating levels in cortisol and tested the impact of a bolus injection of 35 mg of hydrocortisone in the late afternoon, at a time of very low cortisol concentrations. In a previous study with young normal controls, we injected a similar dose of hydrocortisone in the morning, at the time of the circadian peak, and reported detrimental effects of GC on cognitive function. Here, when we injected a similar dose of hydrocortisone in the afternoon, at the time of the circadian trough, we observed positive effects of GC on memory function. The results of these two studies provide evidence that GC are necessary for learning and memory in human populations.
Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills
Author information
Author/s: Lupien, Sonia J (SJ); Wilkinson, Charles W (CW); Brière, Sophie (S); Ménard, Catherine (C); Ng Ying Kin, N M K (NM); Nair, N P V (NP);
Affiliation: Laboratory of Human Psychoneuroendocrine Research, Douglas Hospital Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, 6875 Bld. Lasalle, Verdun, Quebec, Canada H4H-1R3. lupson(-atsign-)douglas.mcgill.ca
Journal and publication information
Publication Type: Clinical Trial; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Journal: Psychoneuroendocrinology (Psychoneuroendocrinology), published in England. (Language: eng)
Reference: 2002-Apr; vol 27 (issue 3) : pp 401-16
Dates: Created 2002/01/30; Completed 2002/05/28; Revised 2006/11/15;
PMID: 11818174, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)
Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.
External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):
Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.
This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.
MeSH headings (categories)
This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.
|
|
Related articles
This article has not been indexed for related articles as yet, however you can still use the live related article search links below.
See a large map of 100+ related articles.