title: HPA axis alterations in mental disorders: impact on memory and its relevance for therapeutic interventions.
abstract: Dysfunctions in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis have been reported for several mental disorders that are also often characterized by memory disturbances. It is now well established that glucocorticoids influence cognitive processes by enhancing memory consolidation and impairing memory retrieval. There is further evidence for an association between HPA axis related disturbances and memory function in mental disorders. The present selective review provides a brief overview of HPA axis dysfunction and its impact on memory function in major depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and borderline personality disorder. Furthermore, the relevance of these findings for therapeutic intervention is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf & Schön Klinik Hamburg-Eilbek, Germany.
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wingenfeld
authors.forename: Oliver T
authors.initials: OT
authors.lastname: Wolf
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology