Neuroendocrinology briefing 8 - Glucocorticoids, ageing and nerve cell damage

Stress, by releasing glucocorticoid hormones, affects the brain, especially a region called the hippocampus which has high levels of glucocorticoid re ceptors. Chronic stress or glucocorticoid oversecretion adversely affects t he hippocampus, reducing nerve cell connections and producing memory impair ments. The elderly are particularly vulnerable to this degenerative process . What are the events that underlie this important disorder and are there w ays to prevent age-related loss of the ability to learn and memorize?