Memory impairment in Cushing's disease.

In the present study the cognitive performance of 25 patients with Cushing's disease (CD) was extensively evaluated in comparison with normal control subjects, matched one by one. The results indicate a selective impairment of memory functions: the number of patients showing a significantly impaired mnesic performance increases with age. Moreover, the neuropsychological impairment tends to recover in those cases who underwent further controls after surgical treatment. The neuropsychological data are discussed in the light of recent evidence in the literature concerning the effects of adrenal steroids on the brain.