Memory disturbances and dexamethasone suppression test in major depression

Assessed the relationships between hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) activity and memory performance using 16 inpatients (mean age 45.9 yrs) with major depressive syndrome and a memory profile developed by A. Rey (1966). Within 2 wks following hospital admission, HPA assessments (both basal and post dexamethasone suppression test [DST] cortisol levels) and the memory profile were administered. Results suggest that HPA assessments including both basal and post-DST cortisol levels are better correlated with memory processes than isolated post-DST levels.