Contribution of norepinephrine to emotional memory consolidation during sleep.

摘要: Summary Background There is increasing evidence indicating that slow wave sleep (SWS) supports memory consolidation. This effect may in part originate from phasic noradrinergic (NE) activity occurring during SWS the presence of tonically lowered NE levels. Here, we examined whether consolidation amygdala-dependent emotional SWS. Methods In a double-blind cross-over study, 15 men learned and neutral materials (stories, pictures) evening before 3-h period early SWS-rich retention sleep, which either placebo or clonidine, an α2-adrenoceptor agonist blocks locus coeruleus release, was intravenously infused. Memory retrieval as well affective ratings heart rate responses to pictures were assessed 23 h after learning. Results Clonidine reduced plasma levels but had no on While story content words per se remained unaffected, clonidine distinctly blocked superiority compared for temporal order, with this over memories observed only condition. Heart not affected, whereas under conditions familiar negative rated less arousing more valence seen before; these differences abolished clonidine. Conclusion Given order events depends hippocampus greater extent than item memory, our findings suggest facilitates involve both, strong amygdalar hippocampal component.