Regions of the brain with a high density of glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) including the hippocampus, hypothalamus, and prefrontal cortex are particularly sensitive to elevated circulating levels of glucocorticoids even in the absence of stress. Scientific studies have mainly focused on the impact of glucocorticoids on the hippocampus because of its role in memory processes and on the prefrontal cortex for its role in attention and executive function. Elevated glucocorticoid activity is associated with down-regulation of GRs (known as "glucocorticoid cascade hypothesis"), which diminishes neuroreparative activity and attenuates neurogenesis that can result in decreased hippocampal volume with prolonged glucocorticoid exposure. Variations in individual sensitivity to glucocorticoid medications may be due to either GR hypofunction or hyperfunction. Similarly, variations in individual hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis responsiveness can modulate the type and number of side effects.
Steroid dementia syndrome
Alcohol-related dementia
Depression of Alzheimer disease
Powassan encephalitis
Autoimmune encephalitis
Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis
Wernicke encephalopathy
Vascular dementia