Diurnal variation of cortisol in people with dementia: relationship to cognition and illness burden. Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen 2011 Mar;26(2):145-50
Date
01/29/2011Pubmed ID
21273205Pubmed Central ID
PMC3060946DOI
10.1177/1533317510397329Scopus ID
2-s2.0-79956053374 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 14 CitationsAbstract
Cortisol patterns in nursing home residents with dementia are described and examined in relation to cognition and comorbid illnesses. Saliva was sampled 4 times in a 24-hour period (week 1) and at the same times 1 week later (week 2). In general, cortisol levels decreased from morning to evening, with 50% exhibiting a negative slope. In contrast, 38% of the participants had a relatively flat cortisol diurnal rhythm, and 7% exhibited an afternoon increase. The cortisol pattern was consistent between weeks 1 and 2 for 39% with a negative slope, 13% with a flat profile, and for 2% with an afternoon increase pattern. Cortisol rhythm was not statistically significantly related to cognition or illness burden. While this study contributes to the understanding of differences in the diurnal pattern of cortisol for older adults with dementia, more research is needed to understand the etiology of the differences and the biological mechanisms involved.
Author List
Kovach CR, Woods DL, Logan BR, Raff HAuthors
Brent R. Logan PhD Director, Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of WisconsinHershel Raff PhD Professor in the Academic Affairs department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Circadian RhythmCognition
Comorbidity
Cost of Illness
Dementia
Female
Humans
Hydrocortisone
Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System
Male
Pituitary-Adrenal System
Saliva
