Following the footprints of the reconsolidation process

MARIA EUGENIA PEDREIRA *

Genk

Workshop; Attenuation of emotional Memories; 2019

Ku Leuven

Following the footprints of the reconsolidation process.María E Pedreira PhD. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias, Universidad de Buenos Aires/Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (IFIBYNE, UBA/CONICET). Buenos Aires, Argentina Consolidated memories can endure from a day to the whole life. Sometimes memory persistence is improved in different ways. In the last years the reconsolidation process is identified as one of the retrieval-based manner to strengthen memory. In this case, strengthening occurs simply by the presentation of specific cues associated with the original learning. In our lab, this function is in the core of our questions. Previously, we described this function in different reports using a behavioral approach. More recently, we advanced in the identification of brain correlates imprinted by the reconsolidation process studying the neural correlates of a strengthened memory through retraining or reconsolidation process. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we analyzed the functional connectivity of the whole brain associated with the retrieval of a memory that was reconsolidated and other that was retrained. We used Graph Theory to analyze the features of the networks showing that reconsolidated memories imprint a more locally efficient network that is better at exchanging information. Finally, I would like to discuss the potential therapeutic role of this function.