Post-retrieval noradrenergic activation impairs subsequent memory depending on cortico-hippocampal reactivation

When retrieved, seemingly stable memories can become sensitive to significant events, such as acute stress. The mechanisms underlying these memory dynamics remain poorly understood. Here, we show that noradrenergic stimulation after memory retrieval impairs subsequent remembering, depending on hippo...

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Main Authors: Hendrik Heinbockel, Gregor Leicht, Anthony D Wagner, Lars Schwabe
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: eLife Sciences Publications Ltd 2025-01-01
Series:eLife
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Online Access:https://elifesciences.org/articles/100525
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author Hendrik Heinbockel
Gregor Leicht
Anthony D Wagner
Lars Schwabe
author_facet Hendrik Heinbockel
Gregor Leicht
Anthony D Wagner
Lars Schwabe
author_sort Hendrik Heinbockel
collection DOAJ
description When retrieved, seemingly stable memories can become sensitive to significant events, such as acute stress. The mechanisms underlying these memory dynamics remain poorly understood. Here, we show that noradrenergic stimulation after memory retrieval impairs subsequent remembering, depending on hippocampal and cortical signals emerging during retrieval. In a three-day study, we measured brain activity using fMRI during initial encoding, 24 hr-delayed memory cueing followed by pharmacological elevations of glucocorticoid or noradrenergic activity, and final recall. While post-retrieval glucocorticoids did not affect subsequent memory, the impairing effect of noradrenergic arousal on final recall depended on hippocampal reactivation and category-level reinstatement in the ventral temporal cortex during memory cueing. These effects did not require a reactivation of the original memory trace and did not interact with offline reinstatement during rest. Our findings demonstrate that, depending on the retrieval-related neural reactivation of memories, noradrenergic arousal after retrieval can alter the future accessibility of consolidated memories.
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spelling doaj-art-f640ad0fc71d4af8b994d6eb519072342025-01-29T12:55:42ZengeLife Sciences Publications LtdeLife2050-084X2025-01-011310.7554/eLife.100525Post-retrieval noradrenergic activation impairs subsequent memory depending on cortico-hippocampal reactivationHendrik Heinbockel0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9149-6755Gregor Leicht1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5104-9336Anthony D Wagner2https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0624-4543Lars Schwabe3https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4429-4373Department of Cognitive Psychology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, GermanyDepartment of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, GermanyDepartment of Psychology and Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford, United StatesDepartment of Cognitive Psychology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, GermanyWhen retrieved, seemingly stable memories can become sensitive to significant events, such as acute stress. The mechanisms underlying these memory dynamics remain poorly understood. Here, we show that noradrenergic stimulation after memory retrieval impairs subsequent remembering, depending on hippocampal and cortical signals emerging during retrieval. In a three-day study, we measured brain activity using fMRI during initial encoding, 24 hr-delayed memory cueing followed by pharmacological elevations of glucocorticoid or noradrenergic activity, and final recall. While post-retrieval glucocorticoids did not affect subsequent memory, the impairing effect of noradrenergic arousal on final recall depended on hippocampal reactivation and category-level reinstatement in the ventral temporal cortex during memory cueing. These effects did not require a reactivation of the original memory trace and did not interact with offline reinstatement during rest. Our findings demonstrate that, depending on the retrieval-related neural reactivation of memories, noradrenergic arousal after retrieval can alter the future accessibility of consolidated memories.https://elifesciences.org/articles/100525memorynoradrenalinehippocampusglucocorticoidspost-retrieval changes
spellingShingle Hendrik Heinbockel
Gregor Leicht
Anthony D Wagner
Lars Schwabe
Post-retrieval noradrenergic activation impairs subsequent memory depending on cortico-hippocampal reactivation
eLife
memory
noradrenaline
hippocampus
glucocorticoids
post-retrieval changes
title Post-retrieval noradrenergic activation impairs subsequent memory depending on cortico-hippocampal reactivation
title_full Post-retrieval noradrenergic activation impairs subsequent memory depending on cortico-hippocampal reactivation
title_fullStr Post-retrieval noradrenergic activation impairs subsequent memory depending on cortico-hippocampal reactivation
title_full_unstemmed Post-retrieval noradrenergic activation impairs subsequent memory depending on cortico-hippocampal reactivation
title_short Post-retrieval noradrenergic activation impairs subsequent memory depending on cortico-hippocampal reactivation
title_sort post retrieval noradrenergic activation impairs subsequent memory depending on cortico hippocampal reactivation
topic memory
noradrenaline
hippocampus
glucocorticoids
post-retrieval changes
url https://elifesciences.org/articles/100525
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AT anthonydwagner postretrievalnoradrenergicactivationimpairssubsequentmemorydependingoncorticohippocampalreactivation
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