Department Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Division of Neuroscience, UMC Utrecht, Rudolf Magnus Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Trends Cogn Sci. 2011 Jun;15(6):280-8. doi: 10.1016/j.tics.2011.04.004. Epub 2011 May 14.
Stressful events activate the amygdala and a network of associated brain regions. Studies in both humans and rodents indicate that noradrenaline has a prominent role in this activation. Noradrenaline induces a hypervigilant state that helps to remember the event. This mnemonic effect is enhanced when the situation is so stressful that substantial amounts of corticosteroids are released and reach the amygdala. The combination of the two hormones leads to optimal strengthening of contacts and thus memory. Yet, rises in corticosteroid levels that are not precisely synchronized with noradrenaline release do not act synergistically but rather prevent or suppress the effect of noradrenaline. This dynamic interaction illustrates the adaptive and potentially protective capacity of corticosteroids regarding traumatic memories.
应激事件会激活杏仁核及相关的大脑区域网络。人类和啮齿动物的研究均表明，去甲肾上腺素在这种激活中起着重要作用。去甲肾上腺素会引发一种高度警惕的状态，有助于记忆事件。当情况非常紧张以致大量皮质醇释放并到达杏仁核时，这种记忆效果会增强。这两种激素的结合会导致接触的最佳强化，从而增强记忆。然而，皮质醇水平的升高如果与去甲肾上腺素的释放不能精确同步，就不会产生协同作用，反而会阻止或抑制去甲肾上腺素的作用。这种动态相互作用说明了皮质醇对于创伤性记忆的适应性和潜在保护能力。
