Role of DHEA and cortisol in prefrontal-amygdalar development and working memory.

There is accumulating evidence that both dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and cortisol play an important role in regulating physical maturation and brain development. High DHEA levels tend to be associated with neuroprotective and indirect anabolic effects, while high cortisol levels tend to be associated with catabolic and neurotoxic properties. Previous literature has linked the ratio between DHEA and cortisol levels (DC ratio) to disorders of attention, emotional regulation and conduct, but little is known as to the relationship between this ratio and brain development.