title: Stress, cortisol and memory as markers of serotonergic vulnerability.
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.
authors.affiliation: 1Brain & Behaviour Insititue, Dept of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, Universiteit Maastricht.
authors.forename: Wim J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Riedel
authors.affiliation: 1Brain & Behaviour Insititue, Dept of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, Universiteit Maastricht.
authors.forename: Sjacko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sobczak
authors.affiliation: 1Brain & Behaviour Insititue, Dept of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, Universiteit Maastricht.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nicolson
authors.affiliation: 1Brain & Behaviour Insititue, Dept of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, Universiteit Maastricht.
authors.forename: Adriaan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Honig