Memory consolidation in human sleep depends on inhibition of glucocorticoid release
Abstract
Early sleep dominated by slow-wave sleep has been found to be particularly relevant for declarative memory formation via hippocampo-neocortical networks. Concurrently, early nocturnal sleep is characterized by an inhibition of glucocorticoid release from the adrenals. Here, we show in healthy humans that this inhibition serves to support declarative memory consolidation during sleep. Elevating plasma glucocorticoid concentration during early sleep by administration of cortisol impaired consolidation of paired associate words, but not of non-declarative memory of visuomotor skills. Since glucocorticoid concentration was enhanced only during retention sleep, but not during acquisition or retrieval, a specific effect on the consolidation process is indicated. Blocking mineralocorticoid receptors by canrenoate did not affect memory, suggesting inactivation of glucocorticoid receptors to be the essential prerequisite for memory consolidation during early sleep.
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Increasing glucocorticoid levels during sleep by cortisol or dexamethasone impaired consolidation of memory for word pairs and temporal order in stories.
“Accordingly, increasing glucocorticoid levels during sleep by postlearning administration of cortisol or dexamethasone impaired consolidation of memory for word pairs and for the temporal order in stories (932, 933, 1323).”
From About Sleep's Role in Memory (2013) · cites this paper as [932]
Hippocampus-dependent declarative memory is impaired by the infusion of a low dose of cortisol during a period of early SWS-rich sleep.
“hippocampus-dependent declarative memory has been impaired by the infusion of a low dose of cortisol during a period of early SWS-rich sleep [54].”
From Impact of Sleep and Its Disturbances on Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Activity (2010) · cites this paper as [54]
Inhibition of cortisol secretion and inactivation of glucocorticoid receptors appear to be critical for hippocampus-mediated formation of declarative memories.
“Thus, inhibition of cortisol secretion and in particular inactivation of GRs appear to be critical for hippocampus-mediated formation of declarative memories.”
From Impact of Sleep and Its Disturbances on Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Activity (2010) · cites this paper as [54]
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- Authors
- Plihal, W., & Born, J.
- Affiliations
- University of Göttingen (DE)
- Venue
- NeuroReport
- Published
- 1999-09
- Volume
- 10
- Issue
- 13
- Pages
- 2741-2747
- ISSN
- 0959-4965 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2056174190
- Cited by
- 171
- References
- 15
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 9
- FWCI
- 1.85
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Neuroreport (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Sleep and Wakefulness Research
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
- Keywords
- memory consolidation, sleep, glucocorticoids, cortisol, slow-wave sleep, declarative memory, paired-associate learning, mineralocorticoid receptor, canrenoate
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists, Canrenoic Acid, Glucocorticoids, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Male, Memory, Paired-Associate Learning, Psychomotor Performance, Mental Recall, Reference Values, Retention, Psychology, Sleep, Time Factors
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