leading to both HPA axis dysregulation and declarative memory deficit. The resultant elevated cortisol levels, they suggest, could then result in further hippocampal damage.

Whether this is due to a specific alteration of enzymes involved in adrenal steroidogenesis or in some alteration of the HPA axis activity ... although adrenal cortisol production rate appears ...

as well as in the regulation of the HPA axis. In women with the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), cortisol production rate is probably normal, although adrenal androgens can be overproduced in a ...

Released by the adrenal cortex via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, cortisol helps maintain homeostasis during stress by modulating metabolism, inflammation, and immune activity.