Arousal and cortisol interact in modulating memory consolidation in healthy young men.
Animal studies indicate that adrenal glucocorticoids enhance memory consolidation while impairing memory retrieval. In humans, beneficial effects on consolidation have been observed infrequently. In the current double-blind study, subjects (N = 29) received placebo or cortisol (30 mg) 10 min before viewing emotionally arousing or neutral pictures. Cortisol treatment had no effects on immediate recall. In the 24-hr delayed recall condition, cortisol led to an enhanced emotional memory facilitation because of decreased neutral and increased emotional memory recall. No effects of cortisol treatment were observed for recognition memory or mood. Results support the notion that glucocorticoids specifically enhance the consolidation of emotional material.
Kuhlmann
Sabrina
S
Department of Psychology, University of Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany.
Wolf
Oliver T
OT
D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000187:drug effects; D021641:Recognition, Psychology / Q000187:drug effects; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000523:psychology
D006854:Hydrocortisone