SRINAGARIND MEDICAL JOURNAL

Volume 35, No. 04, Month JULY, Year 2020, Pages 496 - 511

Effects of stress and cortisol on the brain behavioral functions mood and memory

Thaneeya Hawiset, Prachak Inkeaw

Abstract Download PDF

Cortisol, also well-known as the stress hormone, has various effects on physiological functions of the body systems including the nervous, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, respiratory, endocrine, and urinary systems. The nervous system has an important role in the regulation of cortisol levels for controlling normal body functions. Cortisol also plays crucial roles in the metabolic control of body functions, stress reaction, neuronal circuit formation, neurotransmitter modulation, and regulation of mood and memory. This review article summarizes new information of the effects of cortisol on behavioral brain functions, mood and memory, and provides information on stress-induced cortisol secretion and actions of cortisol on various organs, especially the brain. This review also discusses the effects of abnormal cortisol levels on cognitive and mood disorders, as well as the abnormality of cortisol levels which increases risks of the neuropsychological and neurodegenerative diseases. Finally, the article provides information on strategies to relieve stress for improving mood and memory.

Keywords

Cortisol Stress Brain Mood Memory

---