A review of association between serum cortisol levels and cognitive performance under stress conditions

Huurun Ein Arifin; Batrisyia Qistina Basharudin; Nik Nor Eizwanie Binti Nik Yusof

Authors

Huurun Ein Arifin Faculty of Pharmacy, University Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia
Batrisyia Qistina Basharudin Faculty of Pharmacy, University Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia
Nik Nor Eizwanie Binti Nik Yusof Faculty of Pharmacy, University Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, Malaysia

Keywords:

Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Adult; Cognition; Cognitive Dysfunction; Cortisol; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Meta-Analysis; Neuropsychological Tests; Stress, Psychological.

Abstract

Stress is a physical, mental or emotional response from the human body to changes or challenges. Cortisol levels and cognitive function have played crucial roles in stress management. In this study, a meta-analysis was conducted to review the interaction between serum cortisol levels and cognitive function under stress conditions. We used PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar to identify reference articles in the past 8 years regarding serum cortisol level and cognitive performance data. There are a variety of stress conditions that were evaluated, such as anxiety, depression, pregnant women, military servicemen, and other situations. Additionally, the cognitive performance was evaluated using Mini-Mental State Examination (MSSE), Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS), Bayley Scales mental development index (MDI), and other cognitive performance measurements. In a total of 35 articles, during stress conditions, we identified an increase of cortisol levels while the cognitive performance was impaired. We hypothesised that the stress condition would increase the serum cortisol level and that the cortisol would delay cognitive performance.