GLUCOCORTICOID REGULATION OF MEMORY PERFORMANCE IN AGING HUMANS

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are know to regulate brain metabolism, physiology and gene expression, particularly in the hippocampus, as well as memory function in whole animals. Various GCs, including the endogenous human GC cortisol, can dose-and time-dependently decrease human memory in a reversible manner. These results are relevant to both iatrogenic GC exposure and stress-related neuropsychiatric conditions. In addition recent studies in aging humans suggest that age-related increases in cortisol levels are associated with progressice age-related memory declines. Based on these associations, this application proposes to now test the direct effect of GC exposure on older humans using a controlled experimental design so that the "dose" threshold for significant effects in younger and older humans can be defined. This knowledge is critical to the identification of individuals at risk for memory impairment and ultimately to treatment considerations for the prevention of this effect (e.g., GC receptor antagonists or calcium channel blockers).