Autonomic and hormonal support of working memory during memorization of emotionally colored information in 13–14 years old adolescents

In adolescents (n = 24), the vegetative and hormonal provision of visual working memory (RP) was studied when memorizing and comparing emotionally colored information (positive, negative and neutral). Memorization and comparison of neutral images were accompanied by a decrease in neurohumoral and metabolic regulation of the heart, increased sympathetic activity compared with the background, as well as a rapid recovery of HRV indicators to the initial level, which indicates the adequate use of adaptive regulatory strategies. The high efficiency of RP was revealed against the background of the maximum reaction time compared with other blocks. The performance of positively colored tasks did not cause significant changes in HRV indicators, a similar reaction was also noted during the recovery period. The most generalized reaction of the ANS in adolescents was noted when memorizing and comparing negatively colored stimuli. An increase in parasympathetic activity was revealed, a decrease in neurohumoral and metabolic effects. During the recovery period, there was an increase in sympathetic activity. Presumably, an increase in vagal activity may be associated with the stage of resource mobilization during anxiety and stress. In this case, anxiety acts as a maladaptive factor that reduces the effectiveness of RP (the lowest percentage of correct answers) against the background of minimal reaction time. In the study of hormonal support of working memory during memorization and comparison of information of different emotional valence, no statistically significant changes in the concentration of cortisol in saliva were observed.