Cortisol patterns linked to cognitive decline in older adults

A study of nearly 3,900 older adults has linked cortisol patterns and high stress hormone levels to faster cognitive decline. Researchers followed participants from the Chicago Health and Aging Project for up to 11 years, with an average age of 76.7 years.

Findings indicated that individuals with the highest overall cortisol levels experienced faster declines in thinking skills. Conversely, those who exhibited greater variation in cortisol levels throughout the day tended to experience slower cognitive decline.

The research also identified racial differences in hormone patterns. Black participants exhibited lower overall cortisol levels and flatter patterns from morning to evening compared to white participants. Despite these physiological differences, the relationship between cortisol patterns and the rate of cognitive decline remained similar across both racial groups.