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Stress, cortisol and memory as markers of serotonergic vulnerability

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2014

Wim J. Riedel ,
Sjacko Sobczak ,
Nancy Nicolson  and
Adriaan Honig
Wim J. Riedel
Affiliation:
Brain & Behaviour Insititue, Dept of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, Universiteit Maastricht
Sjacko Sobczak
Affiliation:
Brain & Behaviour Insititue, Dept of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, Universiteit Maastricht
Nancy Nicolson
Affiliation:
Brain & Behaviour Insititue, Dept of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, Universiteit Maastricht
Adriaan Honig
Affiliation:
Brain & Behaviour Insititue, Dept of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, Universiteit Maastricht
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Abstract

Objective:

In the present paper the association of stress-induced cortisol with memory impairment is discussed

Methods:

An experiment is described in which an attempt is made to block stress-induced cortisol by lowering 5-HT neurotransmission by means of acute tryptophan depletion (ATD). Forty-five healthy control subjects participated in the experiment.

Results:

Stress-induced peak cortisol and immediate memory performance were negatively associated. ATD tended to block stress-induced cortisol response. ATD also blocked the association between peak cortisol response and memory impairment.

Conclusions:

Stress-induced cortisol and its association with memory impairment is mediated at least partially by serotonin.

Keywords

cortisolmemory performanceserotonin-drug-effects5-HT
Type
Original Article
Information
Acta Neuropsychiatrica , Volume 14 , Issue 4 , August 2002 , pp. 186 - 191
Copyright
Copyright © Blackwell Munksgaard 2002

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