Stress and long-term memory retrieval: a systematic review.
Cadu Klier1, Luciano Grüdtner Buratto1
1Departamento de Processos Psicológicos Básicos, Instituto de Psicologia, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil.
Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
|October 21, 2020
Summary
Stressful events, particularly when induced by the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) in the afternoon, impair long-term memory retrieval in healthy young men. This effect is linked to surges in the stress hormone cortisol.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Stressful events can impact brain structures crucial for memory processes.
- Cortisol, a stress-related hormone, plays a significant role in memory function.
- Understanding the effects of stress on memory retrieval is vital for cognitive health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review experimental research on the impact of cortisol on long-term memory retrieval.
- To synthesize findings on how stress interventions affect memory recall.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was performed across PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycNet.
- Included studies involved healthy human participants with control groups.
- Stress interventions were administered after encoding and before memory testing.
Main Results:
- Thirteen studies (N=962) were analyzed, focusing on stress-retrieval delay, stressor type, time of day, sex, and age.
- The Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) was the most common stressor, applied 15-25 minutes before memory tests.
- Significant cortisol increases and memory impairment were observed in most studies.
Conclusions:
- Stress demonstrably impairs memory retrieval, especially when induced by the TSST in the afternoon.
- The impairment is most pronounced up to 45 minutes before the memory test in healthy young men.
- Findings highlight the influence of stress-induced cortisol surges on memory retrieval and suggest avenues for future research.
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