Glucocorticoids and the ageing hippocampus.
Approximately 30 % of human and mammalian populations develop cognitive impairments with ageing. Many of these impairments have been linked to dysfunction of the hippocampus, a well studied area of the medial-temporal lobe, which is involved in episodic memory and control of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal stress axis and, thus, of glucocorticoid secretion. This paper reviews the growing body of studies which explore a possible relationship between lifetime exposure to glucocorticoids and hippocampal impairment. There is now strong evidence which associates hypercortisolemia in aged men with later cognitive dysfunction and this complements a wealth of rodent and other human data. We conclude with a discussion of possible pharmacological and behavioural interventions.
Hibberd
C
C
Molecular Medicine Centre, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, UK.
Yau
J L
JL
Seckl
J R
JR
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000502:physiology; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000502:physiology; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000378:metabolism; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000502:physiology*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000502:physiology; D008322:Mammals / Q000502:physiology*; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D051379:Mice; D051381:Rats; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000378:metabolism; D018161:Receptors, Mineralocorticoid / Q000378:metabolism
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D005609:Free Radicals; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid; D018161:Receptors, Mineralocorticoid; D002118:Calcium; D003345:Corticosterone; D006854:Hydrocortisone