Psychoneuroendocrinology
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The stress hormone cortisol reduces retrieval of emotional memories, which has been suggested to support the treatment of psychiatric disorders characterized by exaggerated fear-related memories. Indeed, studies in patients with anxiety disorders have indicated that the success of exposure therapy can be enhanced with accompanying cortisol administration. Fear renewal refers to the clinically relevant phenomenon that successfully extinguished fear can return after a context change. ⋯ These results demonstrate a decreased return of fear after acute exposure to stress. Stress interferes with the retrieval of the original fear memory which in turn affects extinction responding. Thus, acute stress reduces rather than promotes the return of fear.