Effects of cortisol on the laterality of the neural correlates of episodic memory.

Alterations in the laterality of cortical activity have been shown in depressive illnesses. One possible pathophysiological mechanism for this is an effect of corticosteroids. We have previously demonstrated that endogenous cortisol concentrations correlate with the asymmetry of cortical activity related to episodic memory in healthy subjects and depressed patients.

Repeated cortisol administration attenuates the EEG response to buspirone in healthy volunteers: evidence for desensitization of the 5-HT1A autoreceptor.

It has previously been postulated that the therapeutic effect of antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), is mediated by a down-regulation of somatodendritic (presynaptic) 5-HT(1A) autoreceptors with chronic treatment. Animal studies have revealed that repeated administration of corticosteroids similarly down-regulate this receptor. However, it has previously been difficult to explore if this receptor is similarly modulated in man in vivo.

A study of the neural correlates of episodic memory and HPA axis status in drug-free depressed patients and healthy controls.

Altered laterality of cortical activity, neuropsychological impairment and hypercortisolaemia have been shown in depression. The neural correlates of episodic memory in healthy subjects demonstrate hemispheric laterality but it is not known whether this is affected by depression and/or hypercortisolaemia. Twenty-seven drug-free depressed patients and 29 matched healthy controls were studied.

Assessing cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in saliva: effects of collection method.

An increasing number of studies are utilizing saliva sampling as a method of assessing adrenal steroid secretion. Saliva samples have certain advantages over plasma, being non-invasive and easily collected. However, some methods of collection may compromise the accuracy of the assay, particularly those which employ aids to stimulate saliva production.

Effects of DHEA administration on episodic memory, cortisol and mood in healthy young men: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Rationale: Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) has been reported to enhance cognition in rodents, although there are inconsistent findings in humans.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of DHEA administration in healthy young men on episodic memory and its neural correlates utilising an event-related potential (ERP) technique.

Methods: Twenty-four healthy young men were treated with a 7-day course of oral DHEA (150 mg b.

Effects of acute tryptophan depletion on executive function in healthy male volunteers.

Background: Neurocognitive impairment is frequently described in a number of psychiatric disorders and may be a direct consequence of serotonergic dysfunction. As impairments in executive functions are some of the most frequently described, the purpose of this study was to examine the performance of normal volunteers on a range of executive tasks following a transient reduction of central serotonin (5-HT) levels using the method of acute tryptophan depletion (ATD).

Methods: Fifteen healthy male subjects participated in a within-subject, double-blind, counterbalanced crossover study.