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Cudeiro J, Soto D, Gutiérrez E. Heat exposure following encoding can interfere with subsequent recognition memory. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11024. [PMID: 37420002 PMCID: PMC10329023 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38248-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Correlational studies suggest that high temperatures may impair online cognitive performance and learning processes. Here, we tested the hypothesis that heat exposure blocks offline memory consolidation. We report two studies, including a pre-registered replication. First, during a study phase, participants were familiarized with neutral and negatively valenced images. One day later, half of the participants were exposed to high temperatures in a sauna session at 50 °C. Recognition memory was tested 24 h later. We found that participants exposed to high temperature showed an impairment in recognition memory performance, relative to a control group of participants that were not exposed to heat or that had a sauna at 28 °C. This occurred for both emotional and neutral items. These results indicate that heat exposure impairs memory consolidation, thereby opening the possibility of using heat exposure as an agent for the treatment of clinical mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Cudeiro
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - David Soto
- Basque Center On Cognition, Brain and Language, San Sebastian, Spain.
- Ikerbasque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain.
| | - Emilio Gutiérrez
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
- Unidade de Venres Clínicos, Faculty of Psychology, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
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Antypa D, Basta M, Vgontzas A, Zaganas I, Panagiotakis S, Vogiatzi E, Kokosali E, Simos P. The association of basal cortisol levels with episodic memory in older adults is mediated by executive function. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2022; 190:107600. [PMID: 35182737 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2022.107600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Elevated basal cortisol levels in elderly may indicate dysregulation of the internal stress-related system, as well as dysfunction and structural alterations in brain structures necessary for cognition, such as hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Because of the close relation of executive functions and episodic memory processing, in this study we explored whether the association of elevated cortisol levels on episodic memory could be partly attributed to cortisol effects on executive functions. In this cross-sectional study we analyzed data from a sample of 236 community-dwelling older adults from the Cretan Aging Cohort aged 75.56 ± 7.21 years [53 with dementia due to probable Alzheimer's disease, 99 with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and 84 cognitively non-impaired participants (NI)]. Morning serum cortisol levels were higher in the probable AD as compared to the NI group (p = .031). Mediated regression models in the total sample supported the hypothesis that the negative association of basal cortisol levels with delayed memory was fully mediated by the relation of basal cortisol levels with executive functions and immediate memory (adjusted for age and self-reported depression symptoms). Moderated mediation regression models revealed that the direct effect of cortisol on executive function and the effect of executive function on delayed memory performance were statistically significant among participants diagnosed with MCI, while the immediate memory effect on delayed memory was more pronounced in AD patients, as compared to the NI group. The current findings corroborate neuroimaging research highlighting cortisol effects on executive functions and immediate memory and further suggest that dysregulation of systems involved in these functions may account for the purported detrimental long-term effects of high cortisol levels on delayed memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Despina Antypa
- School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
| | - Maria Basta
- School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | | | - Ioannis Zaganas
- School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Symeon Panagiotakis
- Internal Medicine Department, Heraklion University Hospital, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | | | - Evgenia Kokosali
- School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Simos
- School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece; Foundation of Research and Technology, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
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Krinke E, Held U, Steigmiller K, Felmingham K, Kleim B. Sex hormones and cortisol during experimental trauma memory consolidation: Prospective association with intrusive memories. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2022; 13:2040818. [PMID: 35386732 PMCID: PMC8979510 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2022.2040818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Trauma- and stress-related disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are more common in females than in males. Sex hormones affect learning and emotional memory formation and may be associated with the development of PTSD. Most previous studies have indexed these hormones in isolation. Objectives: To investigate associations of sex hormones and cortisol during memory consolidation on the development of intrusive memories. Methods: We employed an experimental trauma film paradigm in 61 healthy women and indexed salivary testosterone, progesterone, estradiol, and cortisol on day one and day two post experimental trauma exposure and their effects on intrusion frequency, distress, and vividness. Intrusive trauma memories were indexed by means of a diary in which participants documented intrusion frequency, distress, and vividness. Results and conclusion: Participants reported an average of 5.3 intrusions over the course of seven days (SD = 4.6, range 0-26). Progesterone, and estradiol indexed on day one predicted intrusion frequency, with higher progesterone and lower estradiol predicting more intrusive memories (p-values AUC progesterone 0.01 and estradiol 0.02). There was no evidence for associations between hormone concentration indices on day two and intrusion outcomes. Further research on the roles of gonadal and adrenal hormones in trauma memory formation is needed to advance our efforts to understand their influence on PTSD development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen Krinke
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ulrike Held
- Department of Biostatistics at Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Klaus Steigmiller
- Department of Biostatistics at Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Kim Felmingham
- Department of Psychology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Birgit Kleim
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Psychology, University of Zurich (UZH), Zurich, Switzerland.,Zurich Neuroscience Centre, ZNZ University of Zurich (UZH), Zurich, Switzerland
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Bani-Issa W, Radwan H, Al Marzooq F, Al Awar S, Al-Shujairi AM, Samsudin AR, Khasawneh W, Albluwi N. Salivary Cortisol, Subjective Stress and Quality of Sleep Among Female Healthcare Professionals. J Multidiscip Healthc 2020; 13:125-140. [PMID: 32103972 PMCID: PMC7008192 DOI: 10.2147/jmdh.s229396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Stress is globally recognised as a risk factor impacting workers’ health and workplace safety. Women healthcare professionals are at risk for considerable stress given the demanding nature of their jobs and current working conditions. This study assessed levels of stress among women healthcare professionals using measures of their cortisol levels, subjective stress and quality of sleep. Participants and Methods This study used a cross-sectional design. Data were collected from 335 apparently healthy adult women healthcare professionals working in the United Arab Emirates. Participants provided morning and bedtime saliva samples for analysis of their cortisol levels. The Perceived Stress Scale, Stress Symptoms Scale, Brief Coping Scale and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were used to assess perceived stress level, symptoms of stress, stress-coping strategies and sleep quality, respectively. Results In total, 121 (36.15%) women had impaired morning cortisol levels (below the normal range of 0.094–1.551 µg/dL) and 48 (14.3%) had impaired bedtime cortisol levels (above 0.359 µg/dL). Around 57% of women reported moderate levels of perceived stress, with the most frequently reported stress symptoms being heart rate and back/neck pain. Poor sleep quality was reported by around 60% of participating women. No significant association was found between cortisol and psychosocial measurements of stress or sleep quality. However, night shift and longer shift duration (more than 8 hrs) were significantly associated with impaired morning and bedtime cortisol levels (P ≥ 0.05). Impaired cortisol levels were strongly dependent on using adaptive coping strategies such as active coping, acceptance and seeking emotional support (P ≥ 0.05). Conclusion Evaluating cortisol levels and subjective stress could help to identify groups with impaired response to stress and elevated cortisol levels. Our findings support the need to examine shift work patterns and stress coping strategies in women healthcare professionals to promote their health and productivity and maintain workplace safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wegdan Bani-Issa
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hadia Radwan
- College of Health Sciences, Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Farah Al Marzooq
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shamsa Al Awar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Arwa M Al-Shujairi
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ab Rani Samsudin
- College of Dental Medicine, Oral and Craniofacial Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | | | - Najla Albluwi
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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Antypa D, Rodrigues Cabrita D, Vuilleumier P, Rimmele U. Cortisol suppression after memory reactivation impairs later memory performance. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 106:226-232. [PMID: 31003139 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.03.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Experiencing stressful or traumatic events can result in disabling clinical symptoms of maladaptive emotional memory retrieval, which are only partly addressed by the currently proposed treatments. Cortisol modulation has been shown to affect emotional memory retrieval and potentially reconsolidation, offering an opportunity for developing more efficient treatments for disorders with an emotional memory component. Here, we investigated if cortisol suppression after reactivation of emotional memories weakens later memory thereof. Forty healthy young men were tested in a randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind, and between-subject design, assigned either to a cortisol suppression (metyrapone) group or a placebo group. Participants of both groups, were presented with two emotional stories at an encoding session (Day 1). One of the two stories was later reactivated and followed by metyrapone vs. placebo administration (Day 3). Memory for both stories was tested at a recognition memory session (Day 7). In the group undergoing cortisol suppression after memory reactivation memory performance was weaker compared to the placebo group, tested four days after reactivation. This study shows that cortisol suppression can weaken memory for past events, possibly by altering reconsolidation processes and thus exerting long-lasting weakening effects on the original memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Despina Antypa
- Laboratory for Behavioral Neurology and Imaging of Condition, Department of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Switzerland; Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Switzerland
| | - David Rodrigues Cabrita
- Laboratory for Behavioral Neurology and Imaging of Condition, Department of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Medicine, University of Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Patrik Vuilleumier
- Laboratory for Behavioral Neurology and Imaging of Condition, Department of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Switzerland; Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Neurology, Geneva University Hospitals, Switzerland
| | - Ulrike Rimmele
- Laboratory for Behavioral Neurology and Imaging of Condition, Department of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Switzerland; Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability (CIGEV), University of Geneva, Switzerland; Swiss National Center of Competences in Research LIVES - Overcoming vulnerabilities: life course perspective, Lausanne and Geneva, Switzerland.
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Goldfarb EV. Enhancing memory with stress: Progress, challenges, and opportunities. Brain Cogn 2019; 133:94-105. [PMID: 30553573 PMCID: PMC9972486 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2018.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2018] [Revised: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Stress can strongly influence what we learn and remember, including by making memories stronger. Experiments probing stress effects on hippocampus-dependent memory in rodents have revealed modulatory factors and physiological mechanisms by which acute stress can enhance long-term memory. However, extending these findings and mechanisms to understand when stress will enhance declarative memory in humans faces important challenges. This review synthesizes human and rodent studies of stress and memory, examining translational gaps related to measurements of declarative memory and stress responses in humans. Human studies diverge from rodent research by assessing declarative memories that may not depend on the hippocampus and by measuring peripheral rather than central stress responses. This highlights opportunities for future research across species, including assessing stress effects on hippocampal-dependent memory processes in humans and relating peripheral stress responses to stress effects on the function of memory-related brain regions in rodents. Together, these investigations will facilitate the translation of stress effects on memory function from rodents to humans and inform interventions that can harness the positive effects of stress on long-term memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth V Goldfarb
- Yale Stress Center, Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, 2 Church Street South, Suite 209, New Haven, CT 06519, United States.
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