Glucocorticoids, Noradrenergic Arousal, and the Control of Memory Retrieval. 2019

Gundula Zerbes, and Franziska Magdalena Kausche, and Jana Christina Müller, and Klaus Wiedemann, and Lars Schwabe
University of Hamburg.

Glucocorticoids and noradrenaline can enhance memory consolidation but impair memory retrieval. Beyond their effects on quantitative memory performance, these major stress mediators bias the engagement of multiple memory systems toward "habitual" control during learning. However, if and how glucocorticoids and noradrenaline may also affect which memory system is recruited during recall, thereby affecting the control of retrieval, remain largely unknown. To address these questions, we trained healthy participants in a probabilistic classification learning task, which can be supported both by cognitive and habitual strategies. Approximately 24 hr later, participants received a placebo, hydrocortisone, yohimbine (an α2-adrenoceptor antagonist increasing noradrenergic stimulation), or both drugs before they completed a recall test for the probabilistic classification learning task. During training, all groups showed a practice-dependent shift toward more habitual strategies, reflecting an "automatization" of behavior. In the recall test, after a night of sleep, this automatization was even more pronounced in the placebo group, most likely due to offline consolidation processes and with beneficial effects on recall performance. Hydrocortisone or yohimbine intake abolished this further automatization, preventing the shift to a more efficient memory system and leading, in particular in the hydrocortisone group, to impaired recall performance. Our results suggest that glucocorticoids and noradrenergic stimulation may modulate the engagement of different strategies at recall and link the well-known stress hormone-induced retrieval deficit to a change in the system controlling memory retrieval.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D009638 Norepinephrine Precursor of epinephrine that is secreted by the ADRENAL MEDULLA and is a widespread central and autonomic neurotransmitter. Norepinephrine is the principal transmitter of most postganglionic sympathetic fibers, and of the diffuse projection system in the brain that arises from the LOCUS CERULEUS. It is also found in plants and is used pharmacologically as a sympathomimetic. Levarterenol,Levonorepinephrine,Noradrenaline,Arterenol,Levonor,Levophed,Levophed Bitartrate,Noradrenaline Bitartrate,Noradrénaline tartrate renaudin,Norepinephrin d-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine Bitartrate,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride, (+,-)-Isomer,Norepinephrine d-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), (+,-)-Isomer,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), Monohydrate,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), Monohydrate, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:2),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine, (+,-)-Isomer
D011214 Practice, Psychological Performance of an act one or more times, with a view to its fixation or improvement; any performance of an act or behavior that leads to learning. Practice (Psychology),Practice, Psychology,Practicing, Psychological,Practicing, Psychology,Psychological Practice,Psychological Practicing,Psychology Practice,Psychology Practicing
D011337 Probability Learning Usually refers to the use of mathematical models in the prediction of learning to perform tasks based on the theory of probability applied to responses; it may also refer to the frequency of occurrence of the responses observed in the particular study. Learning, Probability,Learnings, Probability,Probability Learnings
D011939 Mental Recall The process whereby a representation of past experience is elicited. Recall, Mental
D005260 Female Females
D005938 Glucocorticoids A group of CORTICOSTEROIDS that affect carbohydrate metabolism (GLUCONEOGENESIS, liver glycogen deposition, elevation of BLOOD SUGAR), inhibit ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC HORMONE secretion, and possess pronounced anti-inflammatory activity. They also play a role in fat and protein metabolism, maintenance of arterial blood pressure, alteration of the connective tissue response to injury, reduction in the number of circulating lymphocytes, and functioning of the central nervous system. Glucocorticoid,Glucocorticoid Effect,Glucorticoid Effects,Effect, Glucocorticoid,Effects, Glucorticoid
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006854 Hydrocortisone The main glucocorticoid secreted by the ADRENAL CORTEX. Its synthetic counterpart is used, either as an injection or topically, in the treatment of inflammation, allergy, collagen diseases, asthma, adrenocortical deficiency, shock, and some neoplastic conditions. Cortef,Cortisol,Pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione, 11,17,21-trihydroxy-, (11beta)-,11-Epicortisol,Cortifair,Cortril,Epicortisol,Hydrocortisone, (11 alpha)-Isomer,Hydrocortisone, (9 beta,10 alpha,11 alpha)-Isomer,11 Epicortisol
D000069077 Memory Consolidation Neurological process involving the conversion of learned information into long-term memory. Consolidation, Memory,Consolidations, Memory,Memory Consolidations

Related Publications

Gundula Zerbes, and Franziska Magdalena Kausche, and Jana Christina Müller, and Klaus Wiedemann, and Lars Schwabe
January 2014, Psychoneuroendocrinology,
Gundula Zerbes, and Franziska Magdalena Kausche, and Jana Christina Müller, and Klaus Wiedemann, and Lars Schwabe
June 1974, Journal of personality,
Gundula Zerbes, and Franziska Magdalena Kausche, and Jana Christina Müller, and Klaus Wiedemann, and Lars Schwabe
November 2002, Neurobiology of learning and memory,
Gundula Zerbes, and Franziska Magdalena Kausche, and Jana Christina Müller, and Klaus Wiedemann, and Lars Schwabe
September 2012, Neurobiology of learning and memory,
Gundula Zerbes, and Franziska Magdalena Kausche, and Jana Christina Müller, and Klaus Wiedemann, and Lars Schwabe
August 1998, Nature,
Gundula Zerbes, and Franziska Magdalena Kausche, and Jana Christina Müller, and Klaus Wiedemann, and Lars Schwabe
January 1985, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences,
Gundula Zerbes, and Franziska Magdalena Kausche, and Jana Christina Müller, and Klaus Wiedemann, and Lars Schwabe
June 2008, Brain research reviews,
Gundula Zerbes, and Franziska Magdalena Kausche, and Jana Christina Müller, and Klaus Wiedemann, and Lars Schwabe
April 2006, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America,
Gundula Zerbes, and Franziska Magdalena Kausche, and Jana Christina Müller, and Klaus Wiedemann, and Lars Schwabe
October 2006, Clinical EEG and neuroscience,
Gundula Zerbes, and Franziska Magdalena Kausche, and Jana Christina Müller, and Klaus Wiedemann, and Lars Schwabe
July 2002, Trends in cognitive sciences,
Copied contents to your clipboard!