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Cortisol and Cognition

Meaning

Cortisol and cognition describes the intricate and powerful modulatory influence of the primary stress hormone, cortisol, on various higher-order brain functions, including memory formation, retrieval, attention, and executive function. Cortisol is secreted by the adrenal glands in response to activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis during stress, and its levels profoundly affect the structure and plasticity of key brain regions. Maintaining optimal cortisol dynamics is vital for preserving long-term cognitive and emotional health.