Stress and the regulation of memory: From basic mechanisms to clinical implications Neurobiology of Learning and Memory Special Issue

Stress Hormones in Psychophysiological Research: Emotional, Behavioral, and Cognitive Implications

“…Humans with medial temporal lobe damage involving the hippocampus show CORT abnormalities, including an absence of the morning CORT rise (Buchanan, Kern, Allen, Tranel, & Kirschbaum, 2004) and a loss of CORT response to psychosocial stress (Buchanan, Tranel, & Kirschbaum, 2009). Cortisol interactions with the hippocampus play an important role in memory formation and consolidation Henckens et al, 2012) and retrieval (de Quervain & McGaugh, 2014). The amygdala is also affected by exogenous CORT, with acute administration causing diminished activation (Henckens, van Wingen, Joels, & Fernandez, 2010;Lovallo et al, 2010b) and longterm exposure leading to increases in amygdaloid reactivity (Shepard, Barron, & Myers, 2000).…”

“…In addition to glucocorticoid effects on cognition and behavior, EPI acting on peripheral beta-adrenoreceptors is able to influence storage and retrieval of declarative memories (de Quervain & McGaugh, 2014;McGaugh, 1983). Since EPI does not cross the blood-brain barrier, peripheral EPI effects must act via receptors on nerve fibers transmitting information back to the brain, and there is good evidence that beta-receptors on the vagus nerve serve this function.…”