TitleAssociations between cognitive function and naturally occurring daily cortisol during middle adulthood: timing is everything.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsStawski, RS, Almeida, DM, Lachman, ME, Tun, PA, Rosnick, CB, Seeman, T
JournalJ Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci
Volume66 Suppl 1
IssueSuppl 1
Paginationi71-81
Date Published2011 Jul
ISSN1758-5368
KeywordsAdult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Circadian Rhythm, Cognition, Female, Health Status, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Male, Middle Aged, Neuropsychological Tests, Saliva, Time Factors
Abstract

<p><b>OBJECTIVES: </b>We examined associations between cognitive function (CF) and the naturally occurring daily cortisol levels using data from the Midlife in the United States survey and the National Study of Daily Experiences.</p><p><b>METHODS: </b>A national sample of 1,500 (mean age = 57 years; range = 33-84, 56% female) completed a phone-based battery of cognitive tasks and 3-6 months later provided saliva samples upon waking, 30 min after waking, at lunch time, and at bedtime on 4 consecutive days.</p><p><b>RESULTS: </b>Higher CF, particularly executive function, was associated with healthier daily cortisol profiles, including a steeper diurnal cortisol slope, higher morning cortisol levels, and lower afternoon and evening cortisol levels.</p><p><b>DISCUSSION: </b>The results indicate that better CF is associated with healthier profiles of naturally occurring cortisol and underscore the importance of the timing of cortisol sampling.</p>

DOI10.1093/geronb/gbq094
Alternate JournalJ Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci
PubMed ID21743054
PubMed Central IDPMC3132764
Grant ListUL1 TR000448 / TR / NCATS NIH HHS / United States
P01-AG0210166 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
T32-MH018904 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R01-AG19239 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States