Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity and cognition in major depression: The role of remission status.

OBJECTIVES: Neuropsychological deficits and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction have been described in major depressive disorder (MDD). We conducted an exploratory study to investigate the role of remission status in the relationship between HPA axis and cognition in MDD.

METHODS: Ninety-seven MDD patients (44 remitted, 53 non-remitted) and 97 healthy controls (HC) were evaluated. We measured verbal and visual memory, working memory, processing speed, attention, and executive function. Three HPA axis measures were assessed: cortisol awakening response (CAR), diurnal cortisol slope, and cortisol suppression ratio with 0.25mg of dexamethasone (DSTR). Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to study the relationship between cortisol measures and cognition while controlling for potential confounders. We conducted an overall analysis in all participants to compare both MDD-remitted and MDD non-remitted groups with respect to HC. Another analysis including MDD patients only was used to explore a moderating effect by remission status.

RESULTS: MDD patients showed poorer cognitive performance compared with HC, without significant differences between remitters and non-remitters. Cortisol measures did not differ between remitters and non-remitters. Although most HPA axis measures were not associated with cognitive dysfunction, we found significant associations between cognitive performance in MDD-remitters and cortisol measures for visual memory, processing speed and executive function. A significant moderating effect for remission status was found between cortisol diurnal slope (but neither CAR nor DSTR) and performance in processing speed or executive function.

CONCLUSIONS: Remission status in MDD appears to moderate the association between some cognitive domains (processing speed and executive function) and HPA axis activity.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app