Surely you have noticed that what happens to us in emotional states of fear or anger is better recorded in our memory than less dramatic or even joyful events. For the first time, American researchers have identified the biological basis for this "pessimistic" memory preference , as published today in the journal Cell .
"You may remember exactly where you were when you heard about the 9/11 terrorist attacks, but it will be practically impossible for you to remember what you were doing on 9/10?" Explains one of the study authors, Roberto Malinow. "We have identified the mechanism behind this effect. "It is the hormone norepinephrine , popularly known as the " fight or flight "hormone , which is released in the adrenal glands when we are subjected to strong emotional stress. In the brain, say Researchers, this hormone acts on a receptor, GluR1 , increasing the chemical sensitivity of neurons and the strength of their connections, thus the memory is recorded "by fire."
