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Updated: May 20, 2026
Brain Imaging Investigation of the Memory-Enhancing Effect of Emotion
Published on: May 4, 2011
Inhibitory effects of modafinil on emotional memory in mice
Helaine A Fernandes1, Karina A Zanin, Camilla L Patti
1Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, R. Napoleão de Barros 925, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Abstract:
Modafinil (MOD), a psychostimulant used to treat narcolepsy, excessive daytime sleepiness, and sleepiness due to obstructive sleep apnea, appears to promote a possible facilitatory effect on cognitive function. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the acute administration of MOD on the different steps of emotional memory formation and usage (acquisition, consolidation and retrieval) as well as the possible participation of the state-dependency phenomenon on the cognitive effects of this compound. Mice were acutely treated with 32, 64 or 128 mg/kg MOD before training or testing or immediately after training and were subjected to the plus-maze discriminative avoidance task. The results showed that although pre-training MOD administration did not exert any effects on learning, the doses of 32 or 64 mg/kg induced emotional memory deficits during testing. Still, the post-training acute administration of the higher doses of MOD (64 and 128 mg/kg) impaired associative memory consolidation. When the drug was administered pre-test, only the 32 mg/kg dose impaired the task retrieval. Importantly, the cognitive impairing effects induced by 32 mg/kg MOD were not related to the phenomenon of state-dependency. In all, our findings provide pre-clinical evidence of potential emotional memory amnesia induced by MOD. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Cognitive Enhancers'.
Insights
Modafinil (MOD) may impair emotional memory formation and retrieval. This study in mice suggests potential memory deficits, particularly with specific doses affecting consolidation and recall.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychopharmacology
Background:
- Modafinil (MOD) is a psychostimulant prescribed for sleep disorders.
- It is suggested to have potential cognitive-enhancing effects.
- Its impact on emotional memory processes requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of acute Modafinil administration on emotional memory.
- To examine Modafinil's influence on memory acquisition, consolidation, and retrieval.
- To explore the role of state-dependency in Modafinil's cognitive effects.
Main Methods:
- Mice were administered varying doses of Modafinil (32, 64, 128 mg/kg) at different time points relative to a plus-maze discriminative avoidance task.
- The study assessed Modafinil's impact on learning (acquisition), memory consolidation, and memory recall (retrieval).
- State-dependency was evaluated to understand its contribution to observed cognitive effects.
Main Results:
- Pre-training Modafinil administration did not affect learning.
- Doses of 32 or 64 mg/kg induced emotional memory deficits during testing.
- Post-training administration of 64 or 128 mg/kg impaired memory consolidation.
- Pre-test administration of 32 mg/kg impaired memory retrieval.
- Cognitive impairments were not linked to state-dependency.
Conclusions:
- Acute Modafinil administration can impair emotional memory formation and usage in mice.
- Specific doses and administration timings differentially affect memory consolidation and retrieval.
- Findings suggest Modafinil may induce emotional memory amnesia, contrary to its presumed cognitive-enhancing role.
