Abnormal patterns of cortisol secretion and neuropsychological impairment have been shown in depression and these have been hypothesised to be linked. The functional cortisol antagonist, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) enhances memory in rodents and has been reported to improve mood in depressed patients. This book describes some of the authors work investigating the neural circuitry of episodic memory in depressed patients and healthy controls as well as following cortisol and DHEA administration, using an event-related potential (ERP) technique. Findings from these studies are ...