Stress-induced reconsolidation impairment on a declarative verbal memory

JESSICA SÁNCHEZ BEISEL ; F. MAZA; P. N. FERNÁNDEZ LARROSA; A. DELORENZI

Congreso; SAN XXXV ANNUAL (VIRTUAL) MEETING; 2020

Understanding how and when acute stressors modulate memory processes continues to be a challenge. We have proposed that a function of reconsolidation is to induce changes in the behavioral expression of memory by the influence of concurrent experiences, instead of its potential to be reactivated. Here, we adapted the widely used in neuropsychological clinic Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test to evaluate the effect of the cold pressor stress (CPS) during the reconsolidation of this declarative memory. According to previous studies on declarative memories, the working hypothesis of the present study was that CPS administered post-memory reactivation-labilization will improve the long-term memory expression of this declarative memory. A decay in memory performance was found at the time of memory reactivation (Day 6). Contrary to our initial predictions, the CPS administration during reconsolidation impaired the long-term memory expression (Day 7), an effect that is dependent on the presence of a mismatch condition in the Reactivation Session. No differences in recognition tests were found. Results highlight the complex stress-memory relationships.