Working memory is more sensitive than declarative memory to the acute effects of corticosteroids: A dose-response study in humans

The effects of various doses (40 mu g/kg/hr, 300 mu g/kg/hr, 600 mu g/kg/hr or placebo) of hydrocortisone on tasks assessing working and declarative m emory function were measured in 4 groups of 10 young men. During the infusi on, participants were given an item-recognition working memory task, a pair ed-associate declarative memory task, and a continuous performance task use d to control possible concomitant effects of corticosteroids on vigilance. The results revealed significant acute effects of the highest dose of hydro cortisone on working memory function, without any significant effect on dec larative memory function or arousal-vigilance performance. These results su ggest that working memory is more sensitive than declarative memory to the acute elevations of corticosteroids, which could explain the detrimental ef fects of corticosteroids on acquisition and consolidation of information, a s reported in the literature.