Neuroscience 2002 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 372.2 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | The Differential Effects of Emotion and Stress on Human Memory: Modulatory Influences of Glucocorticoids. |
| Authors: |
Maheu, F. S.*1,2
; Joober, R.1
; Lupien, S. J.1
1Douglas Hospital Research Center, McGill University, Montreal, Canada 2Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Cognition and Behavior - Human Cognition and Behavior -- Learning and memory |
| Session: |
372. Human cognition and behavior: learning and memory VI Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Monday, November 4, 2002 2:00 PM-3:00 PM |
| Location: | Hall A2-B3 L-6 |
| Keywords: | Stress, Human Memory, Cortisol |
Studies report enhanced memory for traumatic events, but not for neutral information concerning the event. This was attributed to noradrenaline (NA) elevation in the brain during trauma. Following emotions, however, NA and cortisol are secreted. High cortisol levels were shown to impair memory for neutral information. Little is known about cortisol's influence on memory for emotional events. We measured the impact of cortisol on emotional memory by submitting healthy subjects to a psychological stressor (TSST; exp. 1) or by inhibiting cortisol's secretion before subjects encoded an emotional information (exp. 2). In exp. 1, ten male subjects were submitted to the TSST before viewing a story composed of three segments: two neutral and one emotional. The control group (n=14) viewed the story without being exposed to the TSST. In exp. 2, male subjects received either a placebo (n=13), or metyrapone (n=12), an inhibitor of cortisol's secretion. Subjects then viewed the same story as in exp. 1. In both experiments, unexpected recall occurred immediately after viewing the story and one week later. For exp. 1, results show that, for the immediate recall, stress did not affect memory. One week later, stress decreased memory for emotional information, but not for neutral information. In exp. 2, no group differences were observed for the immediate recall. A week later, metyrapone affected memory for neutral and emotional segments, but more so for neutral information. These results suggest an interaction between sympathoadrenal and adrenocortical systems in the modulation of memory for emotional events.
Supported by NSERC, CIHR
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2002 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Orlando, FL: Society for Neuroscience, 2002. Online.
Copyright © 2002-2025 Society for Neuroscience; all rights reserved. Permission to republish any abstract or part of any abstract in any form must be obtained in writing by SfN office prior to publication.
