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DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1267007
Ghrelin and memory consolidation
Introduction: Ghrelin, the endogenous ligand of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor, has recently been proposed to play a role in cognitive processes. However, effects of ghrelin on memory consolidation in humans have not been studied yet.
Methods: 12 healthy subjects were assessed with a sequential finger tapping task before and after a night of sleep with repetitive i.v. administration of ghrelin or placebo.
Results: After a night of sleep with ghrelin healthy subjects showed worse memory consolidation than after a night with placebo. However, this difference failed to be significant. In addition, administration of ghrelin did not affect sleep EEG. Discussion: In contrast to recent studies showing memory enhancing effects of ghrelin and ghrelin receptor antagonists in animals, memory consolidation is not enhanced after nocturnal administration of ghrelin in humans.