Steroid Use Linked to Memory Impairment

A new study led by the University of Bristol has identified memory impairment associated with steroid use. The study found that even a short course of prescribed steroids led to impaired memory performance when carrying out a memory and learning-related task. The functional activity of the hippocampus, the brain region important for memory and learning, was significantly altered by the treatment. The findings provide breakthrough insights into the impact steroid treatment has on memory processes in the absence of underlying medical conditions and identify the critical importance of matching a prescribed course of medical treatment to endogenous steroid release.