HSD-11βs are partly responsible for intracellular metabolism that determine the operation of glucocorticoids within cells. Glucocorticoids impact the brain development and ultimately the function of the central nervous system. So much so, that if there is a surplus or scant amounts of it, the consequences are deformities throughout one's entire life. HSD-11β Type 1 is responsible for activating glucocorticoids while HSD-11β Type 2 is responsible for deactivating them. The consequences for HSD-11β Type 1 activating glucocorticoids is that there is a decline in cognition especially as one ages. Contrarily, the effects of HSD-11β Type 2 occur during development. Some consequences of a high expression HSD-11β Type 2 are anxiety and cardiometabolic disorders, both of which are part of the early age glucocorticoid programming.