Cortisol awakening response and spatial working memory in man: a U‐shaped relationship. (27th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Moriarty, Andrew S.; Bradley, Andrew J.; Anderson, Kirstie N.; Watson, Stuart; Gallagher, Peter; McAllister‐Williams, R. Hamish
• Is Part Of: Human psychopharmacology. Volume 29:Number 3(2014:Apr.)
• Page Start: 295
• Page End: 298
• Publication Date: 2014-03-27
• Subjects: Psychopharmacology -- Periodicals; Psychotropic drugs -- Periodicals; Psychopharmacology -- Periodicals; Psychotropic Drugs -- pharmacology -- Periodicals; 615.78
• DOI: 10.1002/hup.2399
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0885-6222

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="hup2399-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>The association between hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA)‐axis function and cognition has long been investigated. An inverted U‐shaped relationship has been described between various measures of HPA‐axis function and neuropsychological performance in animals and man. Work with glucocorticoid receptor manipulation has corroborated these findings, with particular effects observed in relation to spatial working memory (SWM). As HPA‐axis dysfunction is frequently found in patients with psychiatric illness, research in this area has potential implications for the treatment of the commonly observed cognitive impairment in such disorders. Here, we present the results of a pilot study examining the relationship between cortisol awakening response (CAR) and cognitive functions known to be susceptible to HPA‐axis manipulation.</p> </sec> <sec id="hup2399-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Nineteen healthy male volunteers were recruited, and their CAR and performance in a task of SWM were assessed.</p> </sec> <sec id="hup2399-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>A highly significant quadratic relationship was observed between the CAR and SWM error rate (<italic>R</italic><sup>2</sup> = 0.63, <italic>p</italic> = 0.001).</p> </sec> <sec id="hup2399-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>We provide novel evidence supporting the existence of an inverted U‐shaped relationship between corticosteroid levels and cognitive function in humans. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.</p> </sec> </abstract>