Stress, ageing and dementia

Abstract

It is well established that stress causes neuroendocrine changes. In particular, the central role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in the stress response, and the multiple effects of adrenal steroids on neuronal activity, structure and chemistry suggests that the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis may form a link between environmental stress and psychiatric disease. We review the evidence for a theoretical relationship suggesting that through abnormalities of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, potential mechanisms exist whereby stress and ageing may contribute to neuronal damage and dementia.