Role of DHEA and Cortisol in Prefrontal-Amygdalar Development and Working Memory

Cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) are the most abundant adrenal hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and exert potent, pleiotropic effects on human physiology including regulation of immune, metabolic and cognitive function (Kamin and Kertes 2017). The role of cortisol in supporting acute stress responses by drawing upon the brain and the body ’s energy reserves (i.e. increasing the body’s catabolic state) has been extensively investigated (Nicolaides et al., 2014). Notably, cortisol may lead to increased neurotoxicity (and other adverse physical effects) when it remains elevated for long periods of time, for example, in the context o f prolonged and inescapable exposure to psychological stress (Kamin and Kertes, 2017).
Source: Psychoneuroendocrinology - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Source Type: research