Cited by 283Stress Responses and CortisolMemory and Neural MechanismsDementia and Cognitive Impairment Research

Increased cortisol levels and impaired cognition in human aging: Implication for depression and dementia in later life

Lupien, S.J., Nair, N.P.V., Briére, S., Maheu, F., Tu, M.T., Lemay, Μ., McEwen, B.S., Meaney, M.J.·1999·Reviews in the Neurosciences

Abstract

Perhaps the most prominent feature of human aging is the variability in decline of intellectual processes. Although many research avenues have been used to study the origin of such an increased variability with aging, new studies show that some biological factors may be associated with normal and pathological cognitive aging. One biological parameter that came under scrutiny in the past few years is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, an endocrine closed-loop system controlling the secretion of stress hormones (glucocorticoids). In this review, we summarize data obtained in both animals and humans suggesting that cumulative exposure to high levels of glucocorticoids can be particularly detrimental for the aged hippocampus, a brain structure involved in learning and memory in both animals and humans. We then analyze the implication of these data for the study of dementia and depression in later life, two disorders characterized by increased glucocorticoid secretion in a significant proportion of patients. Finally, we suggest various factors that could explain the development of glucocorticoid hypersecretion in later life.

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Crossref · 10.1515/revneuro.1999.10.2.117

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  • Previous studies have shown smaller hippocampi in depressed patients and hippocampal atrophy following stress.

    “Although increased hypothalamic volume supports the notion that HPA axis hyperactivity is associated with susceptibility to chronic stress, increased hippocampal volume may appear contrary to previous studies, which have shown smaller hippocampi in depressed patients (48,49) and hippocampal atrophy following stress (8,31,50–52).”

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Authors
Lupien, S. J., Nair, N. P. V., Briére, S., Maheu, F., Tu, M. T., Lemay, Μ., McEwen, B. S., & Meaney, M. J.
Affiliations
Douglas Mental Health University Institute (CA)
Venue
Reviews in the Neurosciences
Published
1999-01
Volume
10
Issue
2
Pages
117-39
ISSN
  • 0334-1763 (ISSN-L)
  • 2191-0200
OpenAlex
W2036672386
Cited by
283
References
82
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 4
FWCI
0.91
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Reviews in the Neurosciences (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Medical Research Council Canada
  • National Institutes of Health (5r01ag009488-05)
  • Fonds de Recherche du Québec - Santé
  • National Institute on Aging (AG 09488)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
Keywords
cortisol, glucocorticoids, aging, cognitive aging, hippocampus, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, stress hormones, later-life depression, dementia, learning and memory
MeSH terms
Aging, Animals, Cognition Disorders, Dementia, Depressive Disorder, Humans, Hydrocortisone

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