Stress et mémoire

As we are subjected to increasing daily stresses, we may become distracted, lose our short-term memory capacities and rely on acquired behavioral patterns. However, our memories concerning the events occurring during the acute stress period may indeed be even better than those usually registered. This type of memory, which could be called emotional memory, is beginning to be better understood. A bimodal response to stress may be responsible for these aspects at a neuroendocrine level : a rapid phase modulated by catecholamines and a slow phase relying on cortisol secretion. During ontogenesis, namely following perinatal stress, such a neurobiological imbalance may occur and be responsible for long-term implicit memory changes and individual stress vulnerability pattern. A better understanding of these mechanisms will bring bases to the development of specific treatments, and their characterization allows us to better understand and accept our own difficulties facing extreme situations.