Generalising reconsolidation: Spatial context and prediction error

Activating a previously consolidated memory trace brings it back into a labile state where it must then undergo a re-stabilisation process known as reconsolidation. During this process memories are susceptible to interference and may be updated with new information. In the studies showing this effect in human episodic memory, the reconsolidation process has been triggered primarily using spatial context or prediction error manipulations to reactivate an established memory. However, these studies have produced conflicting results, showing both that spatial context is necessary and sufficient to trigger reconsolidation and that prediction error is necessary and sufficient to trigger the process. We examined this conflict in two experiments, one investigating the role of context cues and another investigating the role of prediction error. In Experiment 1, spatial context triggered a reconsolidation process and prediction error was irrelevant. In Experiment 2, prediction error triggered reconsolidation, and spatial context cues were irrelevant. These findings replicate prior research but add to the puzzle concerning the roles of these two means of triggering reconsolidation.