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Memory reconsolidation in aversive and appetitive settings
Amy C Reichelt1, Jonathan L C Lee
1School of Psychology, University of Birmingham Birmingham, UK.
Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience
|September 24, 2013
Summary
Memory reconsolidation occurs in both fear and reward memories. This review explores similarities and differences in mechanisms across these memory types, informing potential treatments.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Psychology
- Memory Research
Background:
- Memory reconsolidation is a conserved process observed across species and behavioral paradigms.
- Most research has focused on aversive memory (e.g., fear conditioning), with implications for PTSD treatment.
- Emerging literature investigates memory reconsolidation in appetitive (reward-related) memory, including addiction models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review memory reconsolidation across aversive and appetitive paradigms.
- To identify commonalities and discrepancies in underlying mechanisms.
- To assess the applicability of findings between aversive and appetitive memory systems.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on memory reconsolidation.
- Comparative analysis of mechanisms in fear conditioning and reward-related memory paradigms.
- Examination of conditions influencing reconsolidation across different memory types.
Main Results:
- Memory reconsolidation is demonstrable in both aversive and appetitive memory paradigms.
- While basic phenomena show similarities, notable discrepancies exist in mechanisms and conditions for reconsolidation.
- Differences arise both between aversive and appetitive paradigms and within paradigms of the same valence.
Conclusions:
- Principles from aversive memory reconsolidation may apply to appetitive settings, and vice versa.
- Understanding these cross-paradigm similarities and differences is crucial for advancing memory research.
- Further investigation is needed to fully elucidate the nuanced mechanisms of memory reconsolidation across diverse memory types.
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