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As applied to PWP's? The implication isobvious. Has anyone done testing ion PWP's for high levels of this hormone? Janet Paterson wrote: > Memory can get stressed out, research shows > > (August 19, 1998 8:18 p.m. EDT http://www.nandotimes.com) - A team of > researchers has come up with an explanation for something many test takers, > public speakers and performers already know: Memory can fail under pressure. > > The scientists at the University of California at Irvine showed that an > elevated level of a stress hormone hinders the ability of rats to find their > way back to a hidden target. The study was to be published Thursday in the > journal Nature. > > "This is the science of, 'Oh, I've been so stressed lately, I have trouble > remembering,"' said Robert Sapolsky, a Stanford University neuroscientist who > has also studied how stress hormones impair memory. > > The UC researchers first taught rats to swim to a plastic platform hidden just > beneath the water's surface in a steel tank. Then, they gave the rats a small > electric shock and tested how well they were able to swim back to the platform > after two minutes, 30 minutes and four hours. The rats were equally able after > two minutes and four hours, but at least 50 percent less successful after 30 > minutes. The 30-minute trial corresponded to a peak level of the stress > hormone corticosterone, which was secreted in response to the electric shock. > > The scientists also chemically blocked production of the hormone and found > that the rats had no memory trouble. Conversely, injections of the hormone > impeded memory just like an electric shock. > > The rat hormone corticosterone is similar to cortisol, which is secreted under > stress by the human adrenal gland, near the kidneys. James L. McGaugh, who > directs UC's Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, said his > research team is studying whether its findings also apply to humans, and is > confident they do. > > He said the findings suggest that people should relax before taking tests or > performing other activities dependent on memory. > > James W. Lane, a psychologist at a St. Louis drug rehabilitation center who > has researched memory trouble, said such studies may ultimately help determine > whether repressed memory actually exists. > > He said that stress hormone floods a person's system during a frightening > experience, such as physical abuse, and maybe later clouds recollection. > > By Jeff Donn, Associated Press Writer > Copyright 1998 Nando.net > Copyright 1998 The Associated Press > > a new voice: http://www.newcountry.nu/pd/members/janet/index.htm > 51/10 - almonte/ontario/canada - [log in to unmask] > janet paterson -- Vestel B. Shirley, Ph.D. , Laboratory Manager Natural Resources & Environmental Design, NCA&TSU 1601 East Market Street, Greensboro, NC, 27411 Tel: (336) 334-7243 Fax: (336) 334-7844 email: [log in to unmask] http://www.ncat.edu/~soa/labs/analyticalservices/