Noradrenergic Stimulation Impairs Memory Generalization in Women.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	Noradrenergic Stimulation Impairs Memory Generalization in Women.
Authors:	Kluen, Lisa Marieke, Agorastos, Agorastos, Wiedemann, Klaus, Schwabe, Lars
Source:	Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience. 2017, Vol. 29 Issue 7, p1279-1291. 13p. 1 Diagram, 3 Charts, 2 Graphs.
Subjects:	Noradrenergic mechanisms, Neural stimulation, Memory disorders, Women's mental health, Glucocorticoids
Abstract:	Memory generalization is essential for adaptive decisionmaking and action. Our ability to generalize across past experiences relies on medial-temporal lobe structures, known to be highly sensitive to stress. Recent evidence suggests that stressful events may indeed interfere with memory generalization. Yet, the mechanisms involved in this generalization impairment are unknown. We tested here whether a pharmacological elevation of major stress mediators--noradrenaline and glucocorticoids--is sufficient to disrupt memory generalization. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled design, healthymen andwomen received orally a placebo, hydrocortisone, the a2-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine that leads to increased noradrenergic stimulation, or both drugs, before they completed an associative learning task probing memory generalization. Drugs left learning performance intact. Yohimbine, however, led to a striking generalization impairment in women, but not in men. Hydrocortisone, in turn, had no effect on memory generalization, neither in men nor in women. The present findings indicate that increased noradrenergic activity, but not cortisol, is sufficient to disrupt memory generalization in a sex-specific manner, with relevant implications for stress-related mental disorders characterized by generalization deficits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database:	Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection

Description
Abstract:	Memory generalization is essential for adaptive decisionmaking and action. Our ability to generalize across past experiences relies on medial-temporal lobe structures, known to be highly sensitive to stress. Recent evidence suggests that stressful events may indeed interfere with memory generalization. Yet, the mechanisms involved in this generalization impairment are unknown. We tested here whether a pharmacological elevation of major stress mediators--noradrenaline and glucocorticoids--is sufficient to disrupt memory generalization. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled design, healthymen andwomen received orally a placebo, hydrocortisone, the a2-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine that leads to increased noradrenergic stimulation, or both drugs, before they completed an associative learning task probing memory generalization. Drugs left learning performance intact. Yohimbine, however, led to a striking generalization impairment in women, but not in men. Hydrocortisone, in turn, had no effect on memory generalization, neither in men nor in women. The present findings indicate that increased noradrenergic activity, but not cortisol, is sufficient to disrupt memory generalization in a sex-specific manner, with relevant implications for stress-related mental disorders characterized by generalization deficits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	0898929X
DOI:	10.1162/jocn_a_01118