Cortisol reactivity impairs suppression-induced forgetting. (August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Quaedflieg, Conny W.E.M.; Stoffregen, Hanna; Ashton, Stephanie M.
• Is Part Of: Psychoneuroendocrinology. Volume 142(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-08
• Subjects: Cortisol reactivity -- Suppression-induced forgetting -- Think / No-Think paradigm -- Maastricht acute stress test (MAST) -- Cortisol responder; Psychoneuroendocrinology -- Periodicals; Endocrinology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Neuropsychoendocrinologie -- Périodiques; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105774
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4530

Abstract

Abstract: To some extent, we can shape our recollections by intentionally remembering certain experiences while trying to forget others, for example, by intentional suppression. Acute stress impairs suppression-induced forgetting of memories. It is unclear, however, whether these deficits are a direct consequence of the acute stress-induced cortisol response. The present study was designed to examine the stress-induced impairment in suppression-induced forgetting in a subgroup of cortisol responders. We exposed healthy participants to a stress ( n = 55) or no-stress control ( n = 32) version of the Maastricht Acute Stress Test before they performed the Think / No-Think task. Here, participants aimed to repeatedly retrieve or suppress memories of previously learned cue-target video clips to mimic the complexity of episodic memories. Results on the subsequent memory test revealed that, while the no-stress controls and cortisol non-responders demonstrated suppression-induced forgetting, this effect was absent in cortisol responders. Moreover, the magnitude of suppression-induced forgetting was negatively correlated to stress-induced cortisol increases. The current study extends findings on stress-induced impairments in suppression-induced forgetting by specifically focusing on cortisol reactivity. Furthermore, our findings show the importance of individual differences in cortisol responses as a driving mechanism behind stress-induced alterations in our capacity to actively control our memory. Highlights: Intentional suppression of cue-target video clips induces subsequent forgetting. Cortisol reactivity prevents successful suppression-induced forgetting (SIF). Magnitude of SIF negatively correlates with stress-induced cortisol increase.