Memory traces can become labile upon retrieval and must be restabilized .Critically, interrupting this reconsolidation process can abolish a previously stable memory. The aim of the present study was to selectively modify an existing autobiographical memory by using a noninvasive interference after retrieval. Healthy participants (18 to 35 years old; 17 men, 17 women) were used in this study. Participants were tested on 3 consecutive days: Day 1, Autobiographical memories were reactivated by means of the autobiographical memory cueing test Participants were presented 2 negative (sad, angry) adjectives and were instructed to remember, in as much detail as possible, .After 10 minutes an emotional induction was performed (positive or neutral interference; Day 2, ( 7 days after day 1) the memories were again retrieved. and Day 3: (30 days after day 1), the same of experimental day 2. The following groups were defined: SAD/POSITIVE; ANGRY/POSITIVE; SAD/NEUTRAL and ANGRY/NEUTRAL. Results: the positive interfernce reduced the amount of details of informational content of memories during successive retrievals, only in women, whereas the neutral interfering increased the amount of details. Here, we show that a positive emotional induction after the reactivation of personal experiences impairs the subsequent memory for these experiences, suggesting reconsolidation blockade in an aversive autobiographical memory.
