Salivary Cortisol Patterns Predict Cognitive Decline in Older Adults
A new study from Rush University Medical Center links irregular and elevated salivary cortisol levels to faster cognitive decline in older adults. The research, which followed nearly 3,900 participants over 11 years, found that while Black and White participants exhibited different baseline cortisol patterns, both groups experienced similar cognitive outcomes based on the variability and overall levels of the stress hormone. The findings suggest that cortisol could serve as a biomarker for identifying individuals at higher risk for cognitive deterioration, though it did not predict the development of Alzheimer's disease.