Neural Signaling of Cortisol, Childhood Emotional Abuse, and Depression-Related Memory Bias.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cortisol has potent effects on learning and neuroplasticity, but little is known about its effects on negative memory biases in depression. Animal models show that aversive caregiving alters effects of glucocorticoids (primarily corticosterone in rodents and cortisol in primates) on learning and neuroplasticity into adulthood.

Methods

We investigated whether history of childhood emotional abuse (EA) moderated effects of cortisol administration (CORT) versus placebo on emotional memory formation in depression. Participants included 75 unmedicated women with varying levels of depression severity and/or EA history. In a double-blind crossover investigation, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging to measure effects of CORT (vs. placebo) on neural function durin

SUBMITTER: Abercrombie HC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5833310 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature