Diurnal cortisol rhythm is associated with increased risky decision-making in older adults

Joshua A Weller; Tony W Buchanan; Crystal Shackleford; Arielle Morganstern; Joshua J Hartman; Jonathan Yuska; Natalie L Denburg

doi:10.1037/a0036623

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Diurnal cortisol rhythm is associated with increased risky decision-making in older adults

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Diurnal cortisol rhythm is associated with increased risky decision-making in older adults

Joshua A Weller, Tony W Buchanan, Crystal Shackleford, Arielle Morganstern, Joshua J Hartman, Jonathan Yuska and Natalie L Denburg

Psychology and aging, Vol.29(2), pp.271-283

06/2014

DOI: 10.1037/a0036623

PMCID: PMC4219869

PMID: 24955995

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/4219869View

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Abstract

Although past research has suggested a link between chronic stress and both physical and mental well-being in older adults, less is known about the degree to which neuroendocrine markers of stress are associated with higher-order cognitive processes such as decision-making. In a sample of healthy older adults (55-85 years), we tested the degree to which variation in the diurnal cortisol rhythm, an index of hypothalamic-adrenal-pituitary axis dynamics, was related to differences in risky decision-making. We found that diurnal cortisol fall predicted performance on the Cups Task, a risky decision-making task that independently tests risk-taking to achieve gains and risk-taking to avoid losses. For potential gains, we found that greater risk-taking was associated with lower diurnal cortisol fall, independent of age or sex of the participant. For risks to avoid potential losses, we found that lower diurnal fall was associated with suboptimal decision-making for men only. Compared with males with more typical diurnal fall, those who displayed lower diurnal fall made more risky choices and demonstrated lower sensitivity to the expected value of the risky choice. We integrate these results with the extant literature on the effects of stress on decision-making and cognitive aging.

Neuroticism

Hydrocortisone - physiology

Pituitary-Adrenal System - metabolism

Humans

Middle Aged

Hydrocortisone - metabolism

Aging - psychology

Male

Circadian Rhythm - physiology

Sex Characteristics

Stress, Psychological - psychology

Anxiety Disorders - psychology

Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System - metabolism

Aging - physiology

Risk-Taking

Aged, 80 and over

Choice Behavior - physiology

Female

Aged

Decision Making - physiology

Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System - physiology

Anxiety Disorders - physiopathology

Pituitary-Adrenal System - physiology

Stress, Psychological - physiopathology

Details

Title: Subtitle: Diurnal cortisol rhythm is associated with increased risky decision-making in older adults
Creators: Joshua A Weller - Decision Research
Tony W Buchanan - Department of Psychology, Saint Louis University
Crystal Shackleford - Department of Psychology, University of Oregon
Arielle Morganstern - Department of Psychology, University of Oregon
Joshua J Hartman - Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
Jonathan Yuska - Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
Natalie L Denburg - Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Psychology and aging, Vol.29(2), pp.271-283
DOI: 10.1037/a0036623
PMID: 24955995
PMCID: PMC4219869
NLM abbreviation: Psychol Aging
ISSN: 0882-7974
eISSN: 1939-1498
Publisher: United States
Grant note: K01 AG022033 / NIA NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 06/2014
Academic Unit: Neurology; Psychological and Brain Sciences; Iowa Neuroscience Institute
Record Identifier: 9984020762002771

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