Post-learning psychosocial stress enhances consolidation of neutral stimuli
Abstract
Post-learning stress has been reported to enhance memory consolidation in humans. This effect was observed in studies using physical stressors or an anticipatory speech task. In the present study 58 participants (28 females and 30 males) were exposed to a psychosocial stressor (Trier Social Stress Test) or a control condition following the presentation of neutral and emotionally arousing positive and negative pictures, which were accompanied by a brief narrative. The stressor induced a significant neuroendocrine stress response in men and women. In a 24h delayed free recall test the stress group showed an enhanced memory for neutral but not for emotionally arousing positive and negative items. Additionally, a significant correlation between the cortisol stress response and memory for neutral items was evident. Thus, in contrast to previous studies, post-learning stress primarily enhanced consolidation of neutral material. Several theoretical and methodological explanations for the observed effects are discussed.
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Methylation differences in survivors of the Tutsi genocide and related conflicts have been reported in genes regulating synaptic plasticity, neurotrophic signaling, and early developmental programming.
“Methylation differences in survivors of the Tutsi genocide and related conflicts have been reported in genes regulating synaptic plasticity, neurotrophic signaling, and early developmental programming (88–92).”
From Epigenetic changes associated with multi-generational trauma: characterization, mechanisms, and therapeutics (2026) · cites this paper as [91]
Variation at the NGFI-A binding site of NR3C1 has been associated with altered memory processing and sex-specific differences in PTSD risk, with reduced intrusive recall in males and lower PTSD risk in females.
“Variation at the NGFI-A binding site of NR3C1 has been associated with altered memory processing and sex-specific differences in PTSD risk, with reduced intrusive recall observed in males and lower PTSD risk reported in females (90, 91).”
From Epigenetic changes associated with multi-generational trauma: characterization, mechanisms, and therapeutics (2026) · cites this paper as [91]
Genocide exposure has been associated with epigenetic variation in pathways involved in neurodevelopment and memory processing.
“Genocide exposure has also been associated with epigenetic variation in pathways involved in neurodevelopment and memory processing.”
From Epigenetic changes associated with multi-generational trauma: characterization, mechanisms, and therapeutics (2026) · cites this paper as [91]
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References 63 · Cited by 93
- Authors
- Preuß, D., & Wolf, O. T.
- Affiliations
- Ruhr University Bochum (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Wolf, Oliver T.
- ORCID
- Wolf, Oliver T.
- Venue
- Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2009-10
- Volume
- 92
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 318-326
- ISSN
- 1074-7427 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2158191458
- Cited by
- 93
- References
- 63
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 7
- FWCI
- 3.23
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Neurobiology of Learning and Memory (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Saint Louis University
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Behavioral Neuroscience › Stress Responses and Cortisol
- Keywords
- memory consolidation, psychosocial stress, Trier Social Stress Test, cortisol, emotional arousal, neutral stimuli, delayed free recall, sex differences, neuroendocrine stress response
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Affect, alpha-Amylases, Analysis of Variance, Emotions, Female, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Male, Neuropsychological Tests, Photic Stimulation, Surveys and Questionnaires, Mental Recall, Saliva, Social Perception, Stress, Psychological, Time Factors, Young Adult
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