Elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol may interfere with the brain’s ability to navigate and process spatial information, according to new research published in PLOS Biology. In the study, participants who received cortisol performed worse on navigation tasks and showed disrupted activity in grid cells — specialized brain cells that help create an internal map of surroundings.
Brain imaging revealed that cortisol reduced the precision of these grid cell patterns in the entorhinal cortex, a region involved in memory and one of the first areas affected in Alzheimer’s disease. As this system became less effective, the brain appeared to compensate by relying on alternative pathways, though performance still declined.
The findings highlight a potential mechanism linking chronic stress to cognitive decline, particularly in regions vulnerable to neurodegeneration. While the study focused on short-term cortisol exposure, researchers suggest ongoing stress may have broader implications for brain health, reinforcing the importance of managing stress as part of long-term cognitive support.
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MedicalXpress, March 13, 2026