Disrupting Reconsolidation of Conditioned Fear by making use of a Working Memory Task
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2020-07-13
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en
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This study investigated the effect of a working memory intervention during the reconsolidation window in reducing fear response. This study expands previous research investigating the effects of pharmacological interventions on memory reconsolidation interference. The effectiveness of a non-invasive treatment was investigated after memory reactivation, apart from extinction. Participants (n = 31) completed a fear conditioning paradigm across three consecutive days. Two stimuli-types were conditioned to shock administration, while one was not. One of the two conditioned stimuli was reactivated, and participants subsequently performed a working memory task. Results show that there was no significant difference in fear reduction between the reactivated conditioned stimulus (CS+R) and non-reactivated conditioned stimulus (CS+). Furthermore, fear was not reinstated for CS+R, but also not for CS+. This implies that performing a working memory intervention after memory reactivation does not interfere with memory reconsolidation. However, methodological boundaries of the current study prevent drawing an unambiguous conclusion and confirm that memory reconsolidation interference is far more complex than initially thought. Further research is needed to clarify boundary conditions for the reconsolidation phenomenon, as to further investigate the efficacy of working memory interventions in memory reconsolidation interference, bearing in mind the considerations mentioned. This is of importance since it helps to optimize therapies in clinical practice.
Key words: memory reactivation, reconsolidation interference, reinstatement, extinction, working memory task, fear conditioning
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Faculteit der Sociale Wetenschappen