Cortisol reduces recall of explicit contextual pain memory in healthy young men.
Remembering painful incidents has important adaptive value but may also contribute to clinical symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder and chronic pain states. Because glucocorticoids are known to impair memory retrieval processes, we investigated whether cortisol affects recall of previously experienced pain in healthy young men. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study, 20 male participants were presented pictures, half of them combined with a heat-pain stimulus. The next day, the same pictures were shown in the absence of pain. Cortisol (20 mg) administered 1h before retention testing reduced recall of explicit contextual pain memory, whereas it did not affect pain threshold or pain tolerance.
Schwegler
Kyrill
K
Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland. kschwe19@solnet.ch
Ettlin
Dominik
D
Buser
Iris
I
Klaghofer
Richard
R
Goetzmann
Lutz
L
Buddeberg
Claus
C
Alon
Eli
E
Brügger
Mike
M
de Quervain
Dominique J-F
DJ
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010919:Placebos; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult
D010919:Placebos; D006854:Hydrocortisone