Stress improves ‘verbal memory in women’
It doesn’t impair people’s visual and spatial memory. But acute stress seems to improve the memory of words and interpretation of language in women That’s according to the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Dr Christopher du Plooy‚ whose doctoral thesis “The effects of acute stress on visual and spatial memory retrieval” found that “exposure to (acute stress) does appear to improve verbal memory in women”.The academic work “also investigates how the administration of prednisone‚ an anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressant medication‚ affects the retrieval of visual-spatial material”.Prednisone is‚ a UCT statement on Monday said‚ “used to treat conditions such as allergic disorders‚ skin conditions‚ arthritis‚ lupus or breathing disorders”.“The results of Dr Du Plooy’s research show that prednisone administration also does not impair people’s visual and spatial memory‚ but that it seems to impair verbal memory in both men and women‚” the statement said.“No existing theoretical framework accounts fully for this pattern of data‚ but the current results are consistent with a functional perspective on memory.”..
There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.
From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.
For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.
Already subscribed? Sign in below.
Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.