Successive retrievals drives a "sad" autobiographical memory resistant to the interfering effect of a positive inductor, possibly mediated by a reconsolidation process.

CÓRDOBA

Congreso; XXIV Reunión Anual SAN 2019; 2019

Sociedad Argentina de Investigación en Neurociencias

A previously consolidated memory can enter into a labile state after reactivation, followed by a re-stabilization process defined as reconsolidation. Autobiographical negative memories following reactivation can be modified by the presentation of a positive audiovisual interference, only in women. The aim of this study was to explore if a positive emotional inductor can interfere memory reconsolidation following repeated reactivation sessions of a negative autobiographical memory.On day 1, participants^ memories were reactivated and after 10 min a positive audiovisual inductor (1R+P) was presented. The second group was reactivated 3 times (3R+ P) separated by 2 days and after the last reactivation session the positive inductor was presented. . Memories were tested on experimental day 8. The results showed that the positive emotional inductor did not affect the reconsolidation process after multiple retrieval of a negative autobiographical memory. In sum, evidence showed that: These results suggest repeated retrievals may limit the efficacy of positive audiovisual induction as a potential psychotherapeutic techniques for the modification of dysfunctional autobiographical memories and new studies are necessary to understand how memories becomes resistant.