Positive Emotional Induction Interferes with the Reconsolidation of Autobiographical Memories.

MARCELO EDUARDO PIÑEYRO; ROQUE IGNACIO FERRER MONTI; MARCELO ADRIAN BUENO; HUGO DIAZ ; VICTOR ALEJANDRO MOLINA ; SILVIA GABRIELA BUSTOS

HUERTA GRANDE

Congreso; XXIX REUNIÓN ANUAL DE LA SOCIEDAD ARGENTINA DE INVESTIGACIÓN EN NEUROCIENCIAS.; 2014

SOCIEDAD ARGENTINA DE NEUROCIENCIA

IntroductionMemory traces can become labile upon retrieval and must be re-stabilized. The disruption of this reconsolidation process can abolish a consolidated memory. In a previous study, we showed that a positive induction post- retrieval of an aversive autobiographical memory impaired the original trace (experiments 1A and 1B), suggesting potential reconsolidation interference. The aim of this study was to characterize the reconsolidation interference in our paradigm. To address this goal, a group of healthy participants (20 women, aged 18 to 35) was divided into two control groups. The first group (ANGRY/6h/POSITIVE) was tested on 3 consecutive days: On day 1, autobiographical memories were reactivated by means of the autobiographical memory test. Participants were presented with a negative adjective (angry). After 6 h. (outside the reconsolidation window), the interference images (IAPS-positive) were presented. On day 2 (7 days after day 1), memories were again retrieved. On day 3 (30 days after day 2), an additional test was performed as on day 2 (experiment 2). The second group (ANGRY/NO-INTERF) was identical to the first group except that participants did not receive any interference (Experiment 3).