Cortisol suppression after memory reactivation impairs later memory performance.
Despina Antypa1, David Rodrigues Cabrita2, Patrik Vuilleumier3
1Laboratory for Behavioral Neurology and Imaging of Condition, Department of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Switzerland; Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Switzerland.
Psychoneuroendocrinology
|April 20, 2019
Summary
Suppressing cortisol after recalling emotional memories weakens memory recall. This finding suggests potential new treatments for emotional memory disorders by targeting cortisol's effect on memory reconsolidation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Stressful events can cause maladaptive emotional memories, leading to clinical symptoms.
- Current treatments for emotional memory disorders are only partially effective.
- Cortisol influences emotional memory retrieval and reconsolidation, offering therapeutic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if cortisol suppression after emotional memory reactivation weakens subsequent memory recall.
- To explore the potential of cortisol modulation as a therapeutic strategy for emotional memory disorders.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, between-subject study with 40 healthy young men.
- Participants encoded emotional stories, with one story reactivated before receiving either metyrapone (cortisol suppression) or placebo.
- Memory performance was assessed via recognition testing seven days after encoding.
Main Results:
- Participants in the cortisol suppression group showed weaker memory performance for the reactivated emotional story compared to the placebo group.
- This memory weakening effect was observed four days after the reactivation and drug administration.
- The findings suggest cortisol suppression impacts long-term memory consolidation processes.
Conclusions:
- Cortisol suppression following memory reactivation can significantly weaken memory for past emotional events.
- This effect is potentially mediated by interference with memory reconsolidation processes.
- Targeting cortisol modulation may offer novel therapeutic avenues for conditions characterized by intrusive emotional memories.
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