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Updated: Apr 23, 2026
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Brain Imaging Investigation of the Memory-Enhancing Effect of Emotion
Published on: May 4, 2011
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Progesterone and mental imagery interactively predict emotional memories
Jacinta Wassell1, Sebastian Rogers1, Kim L Felmingam2
1School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
Psychoneuroendocrinology
|October 4, 2014
Summary
Progesterone levels and mental imagery strength interact to enhance recall of negative images processed visually. This suggests mental imagery may explain how progesterone influences emotional memory.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Emotional memory consolidation is influenced by sex hormones and mental imagery.
- The interaction between progesterone and mental imagery in emotional memory is unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the combined effect of progesterone and mental imagery strength on emotional memory consolidation.
- To determine if mental imagery mediates the relationship between progesterone and emotional memory.
Main Methods:
- Participants (men, women in follicular/luteal phases) underwent mental imagery assessment.
- Aversive and neutral images were presented with visual or verbal processing instructions.
- Free recall memory was tested after a 2-day delay.
Main Results:
- An interaction between progesterone and mental imagery strength predicted recall of negative images processed visually.
- This interaction did not affect recall of verbally processed negative images or neutral images.
Conclusions:
- Mental imagery strength may be a mechanism linking progesterone to enhanced emotional memory.
- Progesterone's effect on emotional memory consolidation is modulated by visual processing and imagery capacity.
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