Cognitive functions and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor in patients with mild autonomous cortisol secretion
Authors' conclusion
Low-grade hypercortisolism is associated with elevated BDNF concentrations, which may be a protective factor for memory function in patients with MACS relative to those with NFAA.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) or nonfunctional adrenal adenoma (NFAA) and matched controls
- Participants
- 84 patients
- Exposure
- MACS vs NFAA vs controls
- MACSn = 28
- NFAAn = 28
- Controlsn = 28reference
- Outcome
- Cognitive functions (Montreal Cognitive Assessments (MoCA)) and serum BDNF concentration
Methodological detailscontrols matched for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), visceral adiposity and educational level
- Controls matched for age, gender, BMI, visceral adiposity and educational level
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- MACS vs NFAA: P = 0.001
- NFAA vs Controls: P = 0.044
- MACS vs NFAA: P = 0.967
- MACS vs Controls: P = 0.004
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | P value |
|---|---|
| Cognitive subdomainsMACS vs NFAA · higher with MACS | P = 0.045 |
| Cognitive subdomainsMACS vs NFAA · lower with MACS | P = 0.024 |
| Cognitive subdomainsMACS vs Controls · lower with MACS | P < 0.001 |
Correlations in the whole group
- BMI and morning cortisol after 1 mg DST mostly associated with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) (linear regression)
- P < 0.05
- BDNF vs memory score
- r = 0.337, P = .002
- DST cortisol vs language score
- r = −0.355, P = .008
Original publication
Cognitive functions and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor in patients with mild autonomous cortisol secretion. Eur J Endocrinol. Published 25 June 2024. doi:10.
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