Stress, cortisol and memory as markers of serotonergic vulnerability

Objectives: In the present paper the association of stress-induced cortisol with memory impairment is discussed Methods: An experiment is described in which an attempt is made to block stress-induced cortisol by lowering 5-HT neurotransmission by means of acute tryptophan depletion (ATD). Forty-five healthy control subjects participated in the experiment. Results: Stress-induced peak cortisol and immediate memory performance were negatively associated. ATD tended to block stress-induced cortisol response. ATD also blocked the association between peak cortisol response and memory impairment. Conclusions: Stress-induced cortisol and its association with memory impairment is mediated at least partially by serotonin.