Post-study caffeine administration enhances memory consolidation in humans

Nat Neurosci. 2014 Feb;17(2):201-3. doi: 10.1038/nn.3623. Epub 2014 Jan 12.

Abstract

It is currently not known whether caffeine has an enhancing effect on long-term memory in humans. We used post-study caffeine administration to test its effect on memory consolidation using a behavioral discrimination task. Caffeine enhanced performance 24 h after administration according to an inverted U-shaped dose-response curve; this effect was specific to consolidation and not retrieval. We conclude that caffeine enhanced consolidation of long-term memories in humans.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Caffeine / pharmacology*
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants / pharmacology*
  • Discrimination, Psychological / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Memory, Long-Term / drug effects*
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Photic Stimulation
  • Recognition, Psychology / drug effects
  • Saliva / metabolism
  • Time Factors
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Central Nervous System Stimulants
  • Caffeine