Losing memories during sleep after targeted memory reactivation.
Katharine C N S Simon1, Rebecca L Gómez1, Lynn Nadel1
1Psychology Department, University of Arizona, 1503 E. University Ave, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States.
Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
|March 21, 2018
Summary
Targeted memory reactivation during sleep can now be used to forget specific memories. This new technique, TMR-Forget, shows promise for treating conditions like PTSD and phobias.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Sleep Science
Background:
- Targeted memory reactivation (TMR) typically strengthens memories during sleep.
- Innovative methods are needed to selectively weaken or forget specific memories.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if TMR can be adapted to induce forgetting of specific episodic memories (TMR-Forget).
- To assess the impact of TMR-Forget on recall, recognition, and confidence for forgotten memories.
Main Methods:
- Participants learned object-sound-location associations.
- A 'forget tone' was associated with the act of forgetting.
- During slow-wave sleep, specific memory cues (object sounds) were paired with the forget tone.
- Memory performance was tested one week later.
Main Results:
- Reactivated memories showed significantly lower recall compared to non-reactivated memories.
- Recognition memory and confidence in spatial location were impaired for reactivated items.
- The TMR-Forget technique successfully induced forgetting of targeted episodic memories.
Conclusions:
- Targeted memory reactivation during sleep can be utilized to selectively induce forgetting.
- TMR-Forget offers a novel approach for memory modification.
- This technique has potential therapeutic applications for psychological disorders involving unwanted memories, such as PTSD and phobias.
Related Concept Videos
01:23System of Memory
7.5K
Memory is categorized into three major systems: sensory memory, short-term memory (STM), and long-term memory (LTM). These systems differ in their capacity and the duration for which they can hold information. Sensory memory captures raw sensory input from the environment, holding it for just a few seconds or less. For example, on hearing a brief, loud sound, like a car horn honking, the sound seems to linger in the mind for a moment even after it stops. This is an instance of sensory memory...
7.5K
01:24Working Memory
927
Working memory refers to a combination of components, including short-term memory and attention, that allow an individual to hold information temporarily as we perform cognitive tasks. It is an essential cognitive function that enables the execution of complex tasks such as problem-solving, comprehension, and reasoning. Unlike short-term memory, which simply involves the storage of information for a brief period, working memory involves the active manipulation and processing of this...
927
01:18Long-Term Memory
701
Long-term memory is a relatively permanent type of memory, capable of storing vast amounts of information over extended periods. Its storage capacity is generally considered unlimited.
Long-term memory can be categorized into two primary types: explicit and implicit memory. Explicit memory, also known as declarative memory, involves the conscious recollection of information that we deliberately try to remember, recall, and articulate. This type of memory encompasses specific facts, events, and...
Long-term memory can be categorized into two primary types: explicit and implicit memory. Explicit memory, also known as declarative memory, involves the conscious recollection of information that we deliberately try to remember, recall, and articulate. This type of memory encompasses specific facts, events, and...
701
01:20Traumatic Memory
593
Emotionally traumatic events often lead to memories that are exceptionally vivid and enduring, sometimes persisting with remarkable clarity throughout an individual's life. A classic example of this phenomenon is a person who survives a car accident. Even years later, they may recall every detail of the event with startling accuracy — the screeching of the tires, the jarring impact, and the acrid smell of burning rubber. Such vividness contrasts sharply with how an individual...
593
01:16Repressed Memory
529
Repressed memories are a psychological phenomenon where memories of traumatic events are unconsciously blocked from a person's awareness. This process occurs as a defense mechanism, protecting the mind from the emotional impact of distressing or painful experiences. For example, a person who has experienced childhood trauma may grow up with no conscious recollection of the event. In such cases, the memories are thought to be buried deep within the subconscious, inaccessible to the conscious...
529
01:23Immunological Memory
17.0K
Immunological memory, a pivotal pillar of the adaptive immune system, is responsible for the body's ability to remember and respond more swiftly and effectively to previously encountered pathogens. This remarkable feature is what makes vaccines so effective in preventing diseases.
What is Immunological Memory?
Immunological memory is an integral function of the immune system that allows it to recognize and react more rapidly and effectively to pathogens previously encountered. This feature...
What is Immunological Memory?
Immunological memory is an integral function of the immune system that allows it to recognize and react more rapidly and effectively to pathogens previously encountered. This feature...
17.0K