Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex and debilitating psychiatric condition, associated with distinct changes in a region of the brain called the amygdala. These changes are associated with the recurrent ‘flashback’ experiences caused by the formation of pathologically strong fear memories. The human stress hormone cortisol plays a role in inducing these brain changes; however, evidence also suggests that cortisol may protect against these changes altogether. The exact role of cortisol in mediating PTSD-associated changes in the sensing nuclei of the amygdala is unclear, which must be established if we hope to take advantage of this process therapeutically. Therefore, the following article reviews the evidence for the mechanism explaining the connection between cortisol and PTSD, drawing from relevant clinical and animal model literature.
Cortisol was found to have both potential to both exacerbate and prevent the development of PTSD behaviour and brain changes. The mechanism by which cortisol mediates these changes upon brain cells is complex and involves interaction several other chemical brain signals. Understanding this mechanism and its appropriate timings further will aid the development of preventative therapies for PTSD, and insight into fear memory formation as a whole.