Discusses recent research on the relation of memory and stress and describes the concept of emotional memory which refers to improved memory of events occurring during an acute stress period. Stress factors and stress responses, neuroendocrine responses to stress and the relation of these responses to memory, anatomical memory, and neurodevelopmental aspects of stress and memory are considered. A model of the role of the hippocampus and the amygdala in emotional memory and response to fear is described. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2004 APA, all rights reserved)