Caffeine enhances working memory for extraverts

Biol Psychol. 2010 Dec;85(3):496-8. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2010.08.012. Epub 2010 Sep 15.

Abstract

Using a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled design we examined the effects of caffeine on working memory (WM) as a function of extraverted personality. Participants (N=59) received 200mg of caffeine and placebo in counterbalanced-order over two sessions prior to completing a 'N-Back' WM paradigm. Findings revealed that caffeine administration relative to the placebo condition resulted in heightened WM performance, but only for extraverted participants. We suggest based on previous theory and research that dopamine function (DA) may be the most plausible mechanism underlying this finding.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Caffeine / pharmacology*
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants / pharmacology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Extraversion, Psychological*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Memory, Short-Term / drug effects*
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Personality Inventory
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Central Nervous System Stimulants
  • Caffeine