Cortisol, cytokines, and autonomic changes during a cognitive load in patients with chronic cerebral ischemia

Abstract

Inflammatory processes are involved in cognitive decline and the development of dementias in common cerebral vascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Methods. In 92 women with chronic cerebral ischemia (CCI) from 50 to 85 years old, mean age 67.6+/-0.8 years, salivary concentrations of cortisol and inflammatory interleukins (IL-1β, TNF α, IL6, IL10), blood pressure and heart rate were measured before and after a cognitive load. Aim. To study the effect of cognitive load on correlations between cortisol, inflammatory interleukins, and autonomic responses in patients with CCI. Results. Concentrations of cortisol and pro-inflammatory interleukins, as well as blood pressure and heart rate increased under the influence of the cognitive load. During the cognitive tests, changes in cortisol correlated with changes in IL-1β. Changes in blood pressure and heart rate negatively correlated with changes in all studied interleukins. These relationships were likely related with the activation of the sympathetic-adrenal and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal systems during the cognitive load. Conclusion. The transition from rest to performing cognitive tests is associated with formation of a single functional system that combines the stress hormone cortisol, inflammatory interleukins, and autonomic reactions.