title: Cortisol effects on fear memory reconsolidation in women.
abstract: Previous work from our group has shown that cortisol enhances fear reconsolidation in men. Whether similar effects can be observed in women remains an open question.
  
  
  
  The effects of cortisol on the reconsolidation of fear memories were investigated in women. Based on results in men, we expected a specific enhancing effect of cortisol administration on the reactivated fear memory. In addition, possible interactions with oral contraceptive use were tested.
  
  
  
  We incorporated a differential fear conditioning paradigm in a 3-day reconsolidation design. A fear memory, which was created on the first day, was reactivated on the second day following cortisol administration in the target group. One control group was given cortisol without reactivation, and the other participated in the reactivation session following placebo intake. On the third day, the return of fear for all stimuli following reinstatement was tested. Skin conductance response served as measure of conditioned response.
  
  
  
  In contrast to the hypothesis, cortisol in combination with reactivation did not enhance fear reconsolidation. No differences between the three experimental groups were apparent. In addition, hormonal contraceptive use had no effect on any of the learning phases and did not interact with the cortisol manipulation.
  
  
  
  The lack of an effect in women might be the result of alternating concentrations of sex hormones during different phases of the menstrual cycle or following oral contraceptive use. Considering the higher vulnerability of women to stress-related mental disorders, further investigations in women are of great importance for both theory and treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany.|International Graduate School of Neuroscience, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801, Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Shira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Meir Drexler
authors.affiliation: Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Christian J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Merz
authors.affiliation: Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Tanja C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Hamacher-Dang
authors.affiliation: Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany. Oliver.T.Wolf@ruhr-uni-bochum.de.|International Graduate School of Neuroscience, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801, Bochum, Germany. Oliver.T.Wolf@ruhr-uni-bochum.de.
authors.forename: Oliver T
authors.initials: OT
authors.lastname: Wolf
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003214:Conditioning, Classical / Q000187:drug effects; D005239:Fear / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007858:Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: Fear conditioning; Glucocorticoids; Memory reactivation; Reinstatement; Return of fear; Sex differences; Skin conductance response