Cognitive decline is the measurable reduction in mental capacity, encompassing a progressive deterioration in domains such as memory, executive function, language, and attention. This clinical presentation ranges from mild, age-associated forgetfulness to more severe forms that interfere with daily activities, such as those seen in neurodegenerative disorders. Hormonal shifts, particularly those affecting sex steroids and thyroid function, are frequently implicated in the trajectory of this decline.
Origin
The term combines “cognitive,” stemming from the Latin cognoscere meaning “to know,” and “decline,” from the Latin declinare meaning “to bend away.” Clinical neurology and geriatrics formalized the classification of cognitive impairment to distinguish normal aging from pathological states. The recognition of the brain as a major target organ for systemic hormones firmly links this condition to the field of endocrinology.
Mechanism
The underlying mechanism often involves complex neuropathological processes, including synaptic dysfunction, neuronal loss, and the accumulation of abnormal protein aggregates in the brain. Hormones modulate neuronal plasticity and survival by interacting with receptors in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. For instance, reduced estrogen or testosterone levels can negatively impact cerebral blood flow and neurotransmitter synthesis, contributing to the observed functional deterioration.
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