title: Impact of exogenous cortisol on the formation of intrusive memories in healthy women.
abstract: Stress hormones such as cortisol are involved in modulating emotional memory. However, little is known about the influence of cortisol on the formation of intrusive memories after a traumatic event. The aim of this study was to examine whether cortisol levels during encoding and consolidation of an intrusion-inducing trauma film paradigm would influence subsequent intrusion formation.
  
  
  
  In an experimental, double-blind, placebo-controlled study a trauma film paradigm was used to induce intrusions in 60 healthy women. Participants received a single dose of either 20 mg hydrocortisone or placebo before watching a trauma film. Salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase as well as blood pressure were measured during the experiment. The consecutive number of intrusions, the vividness of intrusions, and the degree of distress evoked by the intrusions resulting from the trauma film were assessed throughout the following seven days.
  
  
  
  Hydrocortisone administration before the trauma film resulted in increased salivary cortisol levels but did not affect the consecutive number of intrusions, the vividness of intrusions, and the degree of distress evoked by the intrusions throughout the following week.
  
  
  
  These results indicate that pharmacologically increased cortisol levels during an experimental trauma film paradigm do not influence consecutive intrusive memories. Current data do not support a prominent role of exogenous cortisol on intrusive memories, at least in healthy young women after a relatively mild trauma equivalent.
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany; Department of Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: felicitas.rombold@charite.de.
authors: Felicitas
authors: F
authors: Rombold
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Katja
authors: K
authors: Wingenfeld
authors: Department of Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany.
authors: Babette
authors: B
authors: Renneberg
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Friederike
authors: F
authors: Schwarzkopf
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Julian
authors: J
authors: Hellmann-Regen
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Christian
authors: C
authors: Otte
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Roepke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004644:Emotions / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D012463:Saliva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult; D000516:alpha-Amylases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000516:alpha-Amylases; D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: Cortisol; HPA axis; Intrusive memories; Post traumatic stress disorder; Trauma film paradigm