Method for treating neurocognitive dysfunction

A method of treating a cognitive impairment associated with corticosteroid treatment as a result of a condition in a human in need of such treatment, comprising administering to the human an effective amount of at least one compound of formula I

• wherein:
• A is a bridge selected from the following radicals:
• —(CH 2)m —, —CH═CH—, —(CH2)p—O—, —(CH2)p—S—, —(CH2)p—SO2—, —(CH2)p—NR1— and —SO2—NR2—, and wherein:
• m is an integer of from 1 to 3 inclusive;
• p is an integer selected from 1 and 2;
• R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C1 -C5 alkyl;
• and R2 is C1 -C5 alkyl;
• X and Y are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and halogen;
• R and R′ are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C1 -C5 alkyl;
• n is an integer from 1 to 12 inclusive;
• and * denotes an asymmetric carbon and the bond designated by {character pullout} indicates that the absolute conformation about the asymmetric carbon can be either (R) or (S) only when all four groups attached to the asymmetric carbon are nonequivalent, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and wherein said cognitive impairment is selected from the group consisting of a foggy feeling, a poor ability to concentrate, unclear thinking, being in a sedated state, and a rapidly developing mental fatigue.