Effects of glucocorticoids on memory consolidation and its neural mechanism

Abstract

Background Glucocorticoids(GC) have powerful influence on many physiological functions,including learning and memory.Objective This article is to review the recent studies about the effects of GC on the memory consolidation.Content Considerable evidence both in human and animals reveals that GC enhance the consolidation of memory through interactions with the noradrenergic system of the basolateral complex of the amygdala (BLA).The amygdala,when activated,influences a variety of other brain structures,including the hippocampus,nucleus accumbens and caudate nucleus,then modulates memory consolidation.Glutamic acid,endocannabinoids and their receptors are also involved in the neural mechanism indicated by recent researches.According to recent studies,the effects on stress reaction are different among the anaesthetic.Trend Further research about the influence of corticosteroids on cognitive function would be helpful to reveal the mechanism of some cognitive dysfunctions,and clinicians could set effective measures to prevent and treat these diseases according to the theory. Key words: Glucocorticoid; Memory consolidation; Norepinephrine; Glutamic acid; α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxa-zolep-propionate receptor; Endocannabinoids; Anesthesia