The Limits of Reconsolidation: Understanding the Nature and Boundaries of Fear Memory Reconsolidation Using the Reactivation-Extinction Paradigm

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* * * *** * Normal* 0* * * * * false* false* false* * EN-US* JA* X-NONE* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * **** /* Style Definitions */*table.MsoNormalTable* {mso-style-name:"Table Normal";* mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;* mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;* mso-style-noshow:yes;* mso-style-priority:99;* mso-style-parent:"";* mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;* mso-para-margin:0cm;* mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;* mso-pagination:widow-orphan;* font-size:12.0pt;* font-family:Cambria;* mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;* mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;* mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;* mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;* mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}****In the past decade, there has been a large*shift in our understanding of how memory works. *The former notion of memory as a relatively static entity has gradually*been replaced with the notion of memory as a dynamic process.  This shift has occurred largely because of*animal research demonstrating that when fearful memories are reactivated they*may enter a labile period during which they can be updated.  There has been some research on the*reconsolidation of fear memories in humans, but this research is limited.  Many of the pharmaceuticals used to block*reconsolidation in animal research are unsafe for humans. Recent innovations*have resulted in safe non-pharmaceutical methods of studying reconsolidation.  These methods more accurately reflect how*reconsolidation might occur in the natural world. The aim of my research is to*extend our understanding of the reconsolidation of fear memories in humans*using these new methods. Objective one will examine the boundary conditions of*reconsolidation in humans.  A series of six*studies will explore how the age and strength of the original memory, as well*as the timing and strength of reactivation influences whether a fear memory will*be updated.  I will also examine whether*a tendency to report being highly fearful influences the likelihood of fear*memories updating.  This series of*studies will help us to understand how fear memory reconsolidation works in*humans.  Objective two will extend our*understanding of the role of reconsolidation in memory and cognition in general.  Most research has inferred that*reconsolidation has occurred by observing the absence of fear memory often one*day after reconsolidation has occurred. If the function of reconsolidation is*to update the memory then other types of information may be incorporated, such*as new details pertaining to the content of the memory.  Two studies will explore whether fear*memories can be updated rather than simply being eliminated. Such knowledge*will ultimately enable the development of translational research investigating*how reconsolidation could be used to reduce rates of relapse in the treatment*of fear-based disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder and anxiety*disorders.   Results from my program of*research will contribute to a growing body of basic research on learning and*memory reconsolidation in humans and help us to understand why and how*reconsolidation occurs. ***