Anterograde and retrograde enhancement of 24-h memory by glucose in elderly humans.
The present experiment examined anterograde and retrograde enhancement of memory storage by glucose in elderly humans. Glucose (50 g) or saccharin was administered shortly before or immediately after acquisition of a narrative prose passage. Recall was tested 24 h later. Glucose administration before or after presentation of the material to be learned significantly improved recall 24 h later compared to performance in the saccharin condition. These findings suggest that glucose retroactively enhances memory storage processing in elderly humans and that the enhancement of memory outlasts the transient elevations in blood glucose levels after glucose ingestion.
Manning
C A
CA
Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22903.
Parsons
M W
MW
Gold
P E
PE
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012153:Retention, Psychology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012439:Saccharin / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
D001786:Blood Glucose; D012439:Saccharin; D005947:Glucose