Human reconsolidation does not always occur when a memory is retrieved:

FORCATO CECILIA; ARGIBAY PABLO; PEDREIRA MARIA EUGENIA; MALDONADO HÉCTOR

NEUROBIOLOGY OF LEARNING AND MEMORY

Año: 2008

1074-7427

Memory reconsolidation is defined as a process in which the retrieval of a previously consolidated memory returns to a labile state which is then subject to stabilization. The reminder is the event that begins  with the presentation of the learned cue and triggers the  abilization-reconsolidation process. Since the early formulation of the hypothesis, several controversial items have arisen concerning the conditions  that define reconsolidation. It is herein proposed that two diagnostic features characterize reconsolidation, namely: the labilization of the reactivated memory and the specificity of the reminder structure. To study this proposal, subjects received two different training sessions on verbal material on Day 1 and Day 2, respectively. Finally, they  were tested for the first and second acquired memories on Day 3. It is demonstrated that the human  declarative memory fulfills the two requirements that define the process. First, the reactivated memory  is impaired by a new learning only when it is given closely after the reminder, revealing that the memory  is labilized. Second, the omission of at least one of the reminder’s components prevents labilization.  Therefore, results show that the new learning fails to produce an amnesic effect on the target memory  either when the reminder omits the learned cue or includes the beginning of the reinforcement. 2008 Published by Elsevier Inc.