Cortisol level predicts executive and memory function in depression, symptom level predicts psychomotor speed.
OBJECTIVE
On a group level depression is related to hypercortisolism and to psychomotor retardation, executive dysfunction and memory impairment. However, intra-group heterogeneity is substantial. Why some are impaired while others remain in the normal range, is not clear. The present study aims at discerning the relative contribution of present symptom severity and hypercortisolism to impairment in the three domains of cognition.


METHODS
Morning saliva cortisol was measured in 26 subjects with recurrent major depression prior to a neuropsychological examination with tests known to be sensitive to cognitive impairment in depression.


RESULTS
Cortisol level correlated with executive dysfunction and post-encoding memory deficits, but not with processing speed. Depression level correlated with processing speed. These patterns remained significant after controlling for confounders through partial correlations.


CONCLUSIONS
The association between cortisol and cognition is not an artifact of psychiatric symptom load. High level of saliva cortisol is associated with aspects of cognition that can be dissociated from psychomotor retardation, which is dependent on symptom load.
Egeland
J
J
Vestfold Mental Health Care Trust, Tønsberg, Norway. jens.egeland@piv.no
Lund
A
A
Landrø
N I
NI
Rund
B R
BR
Sundet
K
K
Asbjørnsen
A
A
Mjellem
N
N
Roness
A
A
Stordal
K I
KI
D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008606:Mental Processes; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D006854:Hydrocortisone