Impaired memory retrieval correlates with individual differences in cortisol response but not autonomic response.

Full Abstract

Stress can enhance or impair memory performance. Both cortisol release and sympathetic nervous system responses have been implicated in these differential effects. Here we investigated how memory retrieval might be affected by stress-induced cortisol release, independently of sympathetic nervous system stress responses. Thirty-two healthy participants (16 women) learned emotionally arousing and neutral words. One hour later, half of the participants underwent a stressor (cold pressor test) and the other half, a control warm water exposure, both followed by a delayed free recall task. The stressed participants were split into those who did (responders, N = 8) and those who did not (nonresponders, N = 6) show a cortisol response. Both responders and nonresponders showed comparable sympathetic nervous system activity (skin conductance level) during the cold pressor. The cortisol responders recalled significantly fewer words compared to nonresponders, and compared to control participants; this effect was most pronounced for moderately arousing words (compared to highly arousing and neutral words). These results suggest that individual differences in cortisol reactivity affect memory retrieval performance, and help to explain the differential effects of stress on memory.

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Author information

Author/s: Buchanan, Tony W (TW); Tranel, Daniel (D); Adolphs, Ralph (R);

Affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA. tony-buchanan(-atsign-)uiowa.edu

Grants: MH067681 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS) ; NS19632 (Agency:NINDS NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

Journal: Learning & memory (Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.) (Learn Mem), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: -2006 May-Jun; vol 13 (issue 3) : pp 382-7

Dates: Created 2006/06/02; Completed 2006/08/23; Revised 2008/11/20;

PMID: 16741288, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adaptation, Psychological
Adolescent
Adult
Analysis of Variance
Autonomic Nervous System - physiology
Female
Humans

Humans
Hydrocortisone - metabolism
Male
Memory - physiology
Saliva - metabolism
Stress, Psychological - metabolism
Verbal Learning - physiology

Associated Chemicals: Hydrocortisone (50-23-7)

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