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Stress selectively affects the reactivated components of a declarative memory.
Almut Hupbach1, Joelle M Dorskind1
1Department of Psychology.
Behavioral Neuroscience
|June 24, 2014
Summary
Stress can disrupt reactivated long-term memories. This study found that stress selectively impaired reactivated declarative memories, while leaving non-reactivated memories unaffected.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Long-term memories can become plastic and vulnerable upon reactivation.
- Stress is known to affect memory consolidation and retrieval.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the direct impact of stress on reactivated declarative memories.
- To compare the effects of stress on reactivated versus non-reactivated memory components.
Main Methods:
- Participants memorized object images paired with animal images.
- Half of the animal images were re-presented to indirectly reactivate associated object memories.
- Participants underwent cold pressor stress or a control condition immediately after reactivation.
- Memory recall was tested 48 hours later.
Main Results:
- Reactivation enhanced memory recall in the control group.
- Cold pressor stress completely abolished the memory-enhancing effect of reactivation.
- Stress selectively impaired reactivated memory components, leaving non-reactivated memory unaffected.
Conclusions:
- Specific components of declarative memory can be selectively reactivated and modulated.
- Stress can selectively disrupt reactivated memories, highlighting a potential mechanism for memory interference.
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