title: Associations between cognitive function and naturally occurring daily cortisol during middle adulthood: timing is everything.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined associations between cognitive function (CF) and the naturally occurring daily cortisol levels using data from the Midlife in the United States survey and the National Study of Daily Experiences.
  
  
  METHODS
  A national sample of 1,500 (mean age = 57 years; range = 33-84, 56% female) completed a phone-based battery of cognitive tasks and 3-6 months later provided saliva samples upon waking, 30 min after waking, at lunch time, and at bedtime on 4 consecutive days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Higher CF, particularly executive function, was associated with healthier daily cortisol profiles, including a steeper diurnal cortisol slope, higher morning cortisol levels, and lower afternoon and evening cortisol levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate that better CF is associated with healthier profiles of naturally occurring cortisol and underscore the importance of the timing of cortisol sampling.
authors: Department of Human Development and Family Studies, and Gerontology Center, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, USA. rstawski@isr.umich.edu
authors: Robert S
authors: RS
authors: Stawski
authors: David M
authors: DM
authors: Almeida
authors: Margie E
authors: ME
authors: Lachman
authors: Patricia A
authors: PA
authors: Tun
authors: Christopher B
authors: CB
authors: Rosnick
authors: Teresa
authors: T
authors: Seeman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone