This article
reviews memory-related impairments in trauma survivors with posttraumatic stress disorder and
their possible association to neuroendocrine alterations seen in this disorder. The neuroendocrine
profile in PTSD first described in chronically ill combat veterans is characterized by lower basal
cortisol levels, higher glucocorticoid receptor number, enhanced sensitivity to exogenous
steroids, and increased variation in basal cortisol levels over the diurnal cycle. The
generalizability and time course of these neuroendocrine alterations are explored in longitudinal
studies and studies in other traumatized populations. These studies suggest that at least some
aspects of this neuroendocrine profile can also be seen in other populations, including women,
children, and victims of childhood trauma. Additionally, the alterations may be present early in
the course of illness, perhaps even in the immediate aftermath of trauma, and may continue to be
manifest in elderly trauma survivors. The mechanisms by which these neuroendocrine alterations
may influence the formation and processing of traumatic memories are discussed.