Cited by 273Memory and Neural MechanismsMemory Processes and InfluencesSleep and Wakefulness Research

Consolidating memories

McGaugh, James L.·2015·Annual Review of Psychology

Abstract

Our own experiences, as well as the findings of many studies, suggest that emotionally arousing experiences can create lasting memories. This autobiographical article provides a brief summary of the author's research investigating neurobiological systems responsible for the influence of emotional arousal on the consolidation of lasting memories. The research began with the finding that stimulant drugs enhanced memory in rats when administered shortly after training. Those findings suggested the possibility that endogenous systems activated by arousal might influence neural processes underlying memory consolidation. Subsequent findings that adrenal stress hormones activated by learning experiences enhance memory consolidation provided strong evidence supporting this hypothesis. Other findings suggest that the enhancement is induced by stress hormone activation of the amygdala. The findings also suggest that the basolateral amygdala modulates memory consolidation via its projections to brain regions involved in processing different aspects and forms of memory. This emotional-arousal-activated neurobiological system thus seems to play an important adaptive role in insuring that the strength of our memories will reflect their emotional significance.

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Crossref · 10.1146/annurev-psych-010814-014954

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  • The typical delay for hippocampal consolidation processes starts at approximately one hour; shorter delays may relate to short-term memory relying on distinct mechanisms.

    “Moreover, the typical delay for hippocampal consolidation processes starts at approximately one hour (for shorter delays it may rather relate to short-term memory, relying distinct mechanisms) [128–131].”

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Authors
McGaugh, J. L.
Affiliations
University of California, Irvine (US)
Corresponding author
McGaugh, James L.
Venue
Annual Review of Psychology
Published
2015-01-03
Volume
66
Issue
1
Pages
1-24
ISSN
  • 0066-4308 (ISSN-L)
  • 1545-2085
OpenAlex
W4245500012
Cited by
271
References
183
Citations by year
2026: 19 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 29 · 2021: 20 · 2020: 32 · 2019: 28 · 2018: 33 · 2017: 26 · 2016: 19 · 2015: 6
FWCI
2.79
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Annual Review of Psychology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Mental Health (MH12526)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Sleep and Wakefulness Research
Keywords
memory consolidation, emotional arousal, stress hormones, amygdala, basolateral amygdala, stimulants, memory enhancement, neurobiology of memory
MeSH terms
Amygdala, Animals, Humans, Memory, Neurosciences, Stress, Psychological, History, 20th Century, History, 21st Century

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