Abstract

Alzheimers disease is frequently associated with abnormalities in the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis. Elevated cortisol levels in Alzheimers disease may in turn be associated with a more rapid progression of the illness. In addition, elevated cortisol levels may directly contribute to cognitive deficits in Alzheimers disease. Mifepristone is a potent antagonist of the glucocorticoid receptor and blocks the central actions of cortisol. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of glucocorticoid receptor blockade with mifepristone on cognition in Alzheimers disease.

Keywords: glucocorticoid II receptor, hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (hpa), psychotic major depression (pmd), hippocampus, progesterone, transcription, dna, cushing, ’, s disease, hypercortisolemia, bipolar affective disorder