A randomized, placebo-controlled proof-of-concept, crossover trial of phenytoin for hydrocortisone-induced declarative memory changes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Corticosteroid excess is associated with declarative memory impairment and hippocampal atrophy. These findings are clinically important because approximately 1% of the population receives prescription corticosteroids at any time, and major depressive disorder is associated with elevated cortisol levels and hippocampal atrophy. In animals, hippocampal changes with corticosteroids are blocked by phenytoin. The objective of the current study was to extend these preclinical findings to humans. We examined whether phenytoin attenuated the effects of hydrocortisone on declarative memory. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) assessed task-related hippocampal activation.

Methods

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subject crossover study was con

SUBMITTER: Brown ES 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3689865 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature