Posted by linkadge on June 14, 2010, at 13:59:43
In reply to Re: Pseudoephedrine + Propranolol = Calculus? » Dan_MI, posted by Deneb on June 13, 2010, at 19:21:26
The problem is that the amount of norepinephrine which is beneficial to a given cogitive task depends on the task.
Working with highly spacial, novel tasks appear to be facilitated by norepinephrine. Examples might be novel pattern recognition (geometry), maze solving, understanding new instructions or applying skills to novel tasks.
Some tasks deteriorate under high norepinephrine. Norepinephrine activates protein kinase C which can help in the formation of new memories, but can simultaniously block the activation of previously established memories.
If you have a task which is highly dependant on the ability to retrieve established memory, then a hypernoradrenergic state might be detrimental. Examples of this would be the ability to recall a list of names or telephone numbers which you had previously learned. Learning a *new* list of telephone numbers however would benefit from higher a norepinephrine / acetylcholine ratio.
Elevated PKC appears to block activation of the hipocampus. It can also supress the activation of the cerebral cortex (the ability to reason). I.e. comparing and contrasting two ideas. The fight or flight response doesn't really require deep reflective throught.
Playing an instrument is clearly not facilitated by a hypernoradrenergic state. The norepinehprine makes the hands shake and blocks the ability to access prior memories (the music you had memorized). OTOH, if your skill is to listen to a new melody and play it back, high norepinephrine might be beneficial (as it increases working memory).
To lower norepinephrine (or the consequences or hypernoradrenergic states) one can take a beta blocker, or a PKC inhibitor. Both have been shown to ameleorate some of stress induced cognitive deficicts mentioned.
As a rule of thumb, I like to always try the test on the same medications that I normally take when performing the task. Omega-3 is great at blocking PKC in the days or hours preceeding a stresful event. Sometimes though, taking too much of a beta blocker dulls the cognition. Be careful if you need to be on the ball for new information or instructions.
Seeing as most math tests are a *combination* of recall and novel application. I like to go into a test as sober as possible. Go through the test and complete what you can while the noradrenaline is high. Then if you need to relax a little bit to reflect on the memory components, perhaps drink some beta blocker you have disolved in your water.
Linkadge
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