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Azevedo M, Martinho R, Oliveira A, Correia-de-Sá P, Moreira-Rodrigues M. Molecular pathways underlying sympathetic autonomic overshooting leading to fear and traumatic memories: looking for alternative therapeutic options for post-traumatic stress disorder. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 16:1332348. [PMID: 38260808 PMCID: PMC10800988 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1332348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The sympathoadrenal medullary system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis are both activated upon stressful events. The release of catecholamines, such as dopamine, norepinephrine (NE), and epinephrine (EPI), from sympathetic autonomic nerves participate in the adaptive responses to acute stress. Most theories suggest that activation of peripheral β-adrenoceptors (β-ARs) mediates catecholamines-induced memory enhancement. These include direct activation of β-ARs in the vagus nerve, as well as indirect responses to catecholamine-induced glucose changes in the brain. Excessive sympathetic activity is deeply associated with memories experienced during strong emotional stressful conditions, with catecholamines playing relevant roles in fear and traumatic memories consolidation. Recent findings suggest that EPI is implicated in fear and traumatic contextual memories associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by increasing hippocampal gene transcription (e.g., Nr4a) downstream to cAMP response-element protein activation (CREB). Herein, we reviewed the literature focusing on the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of memories associated with fear and traumatic experiences to pave new avenues for the treatment of stress and anxiety conditions, such as PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Márcia Azevedo
- Laboratory of General Physiology, Department of Immuno-Physiology and Pharmacology and Center for Drug Discovery and Innovative Medicines (MedInUP), School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto (UP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Raquel Martinho
- Laboratory of General Physiology, Department of Immuno-Physiology and Pharmacology and Center for Drug Discovery and Innovative Medicines (MedInUP), School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto (UP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana Oliveira
- Laboratory of General Physiology, Department of Immuno-Physiology and Pharmacology and Center for Drug Discovery and Innovative Medicines (MedInUP), School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto (UP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Paulo Correia-de-Sá
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Neurobiology, Department of Immuno-Physiology and Pharmacology and Center for Drug Discovery and Innovative Medicines (MedInUP), School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto (UP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Mónica Moreira-Rodrigues
- Laboratory of General Physiology, Department of Immuno-Physiology and Pharmacology and Center for Drug Discovery and Innovative Medicines (MedInUP), School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto (UP), Porto, Portugal
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2
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Nazari M, Rashidy-Pour A, Ali Vafaei A, Raise-Abdullahi P. Systemic corticosterone administration impairs the late fear memory reconsolidation via basolateral amygdala glucocorticoid receptors: dependence on the time window and memory age. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2023:107797. [PMID: 37385522 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2023.107797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) of the basolateral amygdala (BLA) play an important role in memory reconsolidation. The present study investigated the role of the BLA GRs in the late reconsolidation of fear memory using an inhibitory avoidance (IA) task in male Wistar rats. Stainless steel cannulae were implanted bilaterally into the BLA of the rats. After 7 days of recovery, the animals were trained in a one-trial IA task (1mA, 3s). In Experiment one, 48h after the training session, the animals received 3 systemic doses of corticosterone (CORT; 1, 3, or 10 mg/kg, i.p.) followed by an intra-BLA microinjection of the vehicle (0.3µl/side) at different time points (immediately, 12, or 24h) after memory reactivation. Memory reactivation was performed by returning the animals to the light compartment while the sliding door was open. No shock was delivered during memory reactivation. CORT (10 mg/kg) injection 12h after memory reactivation most effectively impaired the late memory reconsolidation (LMR). In the second part of Experiment one, immediately, 12, or 24h after memory reactivation, GR antagonist RU38486 (RU; 1ng/0.3µl/side) was injected into BLA following a systemic injection of CORT (10 mg/kg) to examine whether it would block the CORT effect. RU inhibited the impairing effects of CORT on LMR. In Experiment two, the animals received CORT (10 mg/kg) with time windows immediately, 3, 6, 12, and 24h after memory reactivation. Again, CORT (10 mg/kg) injection 12h after MR impaired LMR. Memory reactivation was performed in the third Experiment, 7, 14, 28, or 56 days after the training session. Injection of CORT (10 mg/kg) 12h later had no significant effect on the LMR. The impairing effect of CORT was seen only in 2-day-old but not 7, 14, 28, and 56-day-old memories. GRs located in BLA seem to play an important role in the LMR of young memory, as with increasing the age of memories, they become less sensitive to manipulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Nazari
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Abbas Ali Vafaei
- Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
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3
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LI J, CHEN W, HU Y, CAOYANG J, ZHENG X. Effects of prediction error and acute stress on retrieval-extinction of fear memories of different strengths. ACTA PSYCHOLOGICA SINICA 2021. [DOI: 10.3724/sp.j.1041.2021.00587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Kuijer EJ, Ferragud A, Milton AL. Retrieval-Extinction and Relapse Prevention: Rewriting Maladaptive Drug Memories? Front Behav Neurosci 2020; 14:23. [PMID: 32153373 PMCID: PMC7044236 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.00023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Addicted individuals are highly susceptible to relapse when exposed to drug-associated conditioned stimuli (CSs; "drug cues") even after extensive periods of abstinence. Until recently, these maladaptive emotional drug memories were believed to be permanent and resistant to change. The rediscovery of the phenomenon of memory reconsolidation-by which retrieval of the memory can, under certain conditions, destabilize the previously stable memory before it restabilizes in its new, updated form-has led to the hypothesis that it may be possible to disrupt the strong maladaptive drug-memories that trigger a relapse. Furthermore, recent work has suggested that extinction training "within the reconsolidation window" may lead to a long-term reduction in relapse without the requirement for pharmacological amnestic agents. However, this so-called "retrieval-extinction" effect has been inconsistently observed in the literature, leading some to speculate that rather than reflecting memory updating, it may be the product of facilitation of extinction. In this mini review article, we will focus on factors that might be responsible for the retrieval-extinction effects on preventing drug-seeking relapse and how inter-individual differences may influence this therapeutically promising effect. A better understanding of the psychological and neurobiological mechanisms underpinning the "retrieval-extinction" paradigm, and individual differences in boundary conditions, should provide insights with the potential to optimize the translation of "retrieval-extinction" to clinical populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloise J. Kuijer
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Antonio Ferragud
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Amy L. Milton
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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5
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Gonzalez H, Bloise L, Maza FJ, Molina VA, Delorenzi A. Memory built in conjunction with a stressor is privileged: Reconsolidation-resistant memories in the crab Neohelice. Brain Res Bull 2020; 157:108-118. [PMID: 32017969 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2020.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The dynamics of memory processes are conserved throughout evolution, a feature based on the hypothesis of a common origin of the high-order memory centers in bilateral animals. Reconsolidation is just one example. The possibility to interfere with long-term memory expression during reconsolidation has been proposed as potentially useful in clinical application to treat traumatic memories. However, several pieces of evidence in rodents show that either robust fear memories or stressful events applied before acquisition promote reconsolidation-resistant memories, i.e., memories that are resistant to the interfering effect of drugs on memory reconsolidation. Conceivably, the generation of these reconsolidation-resistant fear memories also occurs in humans. Is the induction of reconsolidation-resistant memories part of the dynamics of memory processes conserved throughout evolution? In the semiterrestrial crab Neohelice granulata, memory reconsolidation is triggered by a short reminder without reinforcement. Here, we show that an increase in the salience of the aversive stimulus augmented the memory strength; nonetheless, the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide still disrupted the reconsolidation process. However, crabs stressed by a water-deprivation episode before a strong training session built up a memory that was now reconsolidation-resistant. We tested whether these reconsolidation-resistant effects can be challenged by changing parametric conditions of memory-reminder sessions; multiple memory reactivations without reinforcement were not able to trigger the labilization-reconsolidation of this resistant memory. Overall, the present findings suggest that generation of reconsolidation-resistant memories can be another part of the dynamics of memory processes conserved throughout evolution that protects privileged information from change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Gonzalez
- Departamento de Fisiologíay Biología Molecular y Celular, IFIByNE-CONICET, FCEyN, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria C1428EHA, Argentina.
| | - Leonardo Bloise
- Departamento de Fisiologíay Biología Molecular y Celular, IFIByNE-CONICET, FCEyN, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria C1428EHA, Argentina.
| | - Francisco J Maza
- Departamento de Fisiologíay Biología Molecular y Celular, IFIByNE-CONICET, FCEyN, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria C1428EHA, Argentina.
| | - Víctor A Molina
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, IFEC-CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Ciudad Universitaria, Córdoba, Argentina.
| | - Alejandro Delorenzi
- Departamento de Fisiologíay Biología Molecular y Celular, IFIByNE-CONICET, FCEyN, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria C1428EHA, Argentina.
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Dinter C, Hermann D, Heckmann J, Hill H, Reinhard I, Vollstädt‐Klein S, Kirsch P, Kiefer F. Reconsolidation impairment of reward memory by stimulating stress response. Addict Biol 2020; 25:e12712. [PMID: 30672054 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Revised: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Research in memory reconsolidation has raised hope for new treatment options of persistent psychiatric disorders like substance dependence and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While animal research showed successful memory modification by interfering with reconsolidation, human research requires less invasive techniques. In our pilot study, we aimed to reduce appetitive memory reconsolidation of a newly acquired reward memory by exerting a stressor. Thirty healthy participants were randomly assigned to two groups performing a monetary reward paradigm at a personal computer. Day 1 was considered to allow for memory acquisition; on day 2, the experimental group was exposed to a frightening stimulus in the reconsolidation window; and day 3 again served to determine reward memory effects. Measures of reward memory were reaction times to reward announcing stimuli (ie, showing instrumental behavior), actual reward gained, and electrodermal response as a measure for reward anticipation. We found significantly smaller reaction time improvements to reward stimuli over time in the experimental group, as well as reduced achievements in monetary reward. Electrodermal response to reward announcing stimuli was lower in the experimental group after intervention, whereas it was higher in the untreated group. Thus, we argue in favor of the reconsolidation hypothesis, assuming our intervention had successfully interfered with the reconsolidation process. This points towards future treatment options that interfere with an addiction memory.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Derik Hermann
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty MannheimHeidelberg University Germany
| | | | - Holger Hill
- Institut für Sport und Sportwissenschaft (IfSS)Karlsruher Institut für Technologie Germany
| | - Iris Reinhard
- Department of Biostatistics, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty MannheimHeidelberg University Germany
| | - Sabine Vollstädt‐Klein
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty MannheimHeidelberg University Germany
| | - Peter Kirsch
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty MannheimHeidelberg University Germany
| | - Falk Kiefer
- Department of Addictive Behavior and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty MannheimHeidelberg University Germany
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Meir Drexler S, Merz CJ, Lissek S, Tegenthoff M, Wolf OT. Reactivation of the Unconditioned Stimulus Inhibits the Return of Fear Independent of Cortisol. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:254. [PMID: 31780910 PMCID: PMC6861211 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Reconsolidation is the post-retrieval stabilization of memories, a time-limited process during which reactivated (i.e., retrieved) memories can be updated with new information, become stronger or weaker, depending on the specific treatment. We have previously shown that the stress hormone cortisol has an enhancing effect on the reconsolidation of fear memories in men. This effect was specific, i.e., limited to the conditioned stimulus (CS) that was reactivated, and did not generalize to other previously reinforced, but not reactivated CS. Based on these results, we suggested that cortisol plays a critical role in the continuous strengthening of reactivated emotional memories, contributing to their persistence and robustness. In the current study, we aimed to achieve a more generalized reconsolidation enhancement using an alternative reactivation method, i.e., by a low-intensity unconditioned stimulus (UCS) presentation instead of the more common unreinforced CS presentation. In previous studies, UCS reactivation was shown to lead to a more generalized reconsolidation effect. Therefore, we hypothesized that the combination of cortisol treatment and UCS reactivation would lead to an enhanced fear memory reconsolidation, which would generalize from previously reinforced CS to stimuli that resemble it. We tested 75 men in a 3-day fear conditioning paradigm: fear acquisition training on day 1; UCS reactivation/no reactivation and pharmacological treatment (20 mg hydrocortisone/placebo) on day 2; extinction training, reinstatement and test (of original and modified stimuli) on day 3. In contrast to our hypothesis, UCS reactivation prevented the return of fear [observed in skin conductance responses (SCR)] regardless of the pharmacological manipulation: while reinstatement to the original CS was found in the no-reactivation group, both reactivation groups (cortisol and placebo) showed no reinstatement. As the only methodological difference between our previous study and the current one was the reactivation method, we focus on UCS reactivation as the main explanation for these unexpected findings. We suggest that the robust prediction error generated by the UCS reactivation method (as opposed to CS reactivation), combined with the lower UCS intensity, has by itself weakened the emotional value of the UCS, thus preventing the return of fear to the CS that was associated with it. We call for future research to support these findings and to examine the potential of this reactivation method, or variations thereof, as a tool for therapeutic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shira Meir Drexler
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Christian J. Merz
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Silke Lissek
- Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Martin Tegenthoff
- Department of Neurology, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Oliver T. Wolf
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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Antypa D, Rodrigues Cabrita D, Vuilleumier P, Rimmele U. Cortisol suppression after memory reactivation impairs later memory performance. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 106:226-232. [PMID: 31003139 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.03.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Experiencing stressful or traumatic events can result in disabling clinical symptoms of maladaptive emotional memory retrieval, which are only partly addressed by the currently proposed treatments. Cortisol modulation has been shown to affect emotional memory retrieval and potentially reconsolidation, offering an opportunity for developing more efficient treatments for disorders with an emotional memory component. Here, we investigated if cortisol suppression after reactivation of emotional memories weakens later memory thereof. Forty healthy young men were tested in a randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind, and between-subject design, assigned either to a cortisol suppression (metyrapone) group or a placebo group. Participants of both groups, were presented with two emotional stories at an encoding session (Day 1). One of the two stories was later reactivated and followed by metyrapone vs. placebo administration (Day 3). Memory for both stories was tested at a recognition memory session (Day 7). In the group undergoing cortisol suppression after memory reactivation memory performance was weaker compared to the placebo group, tested four days after reactivation. This study shows that cortisol suppression can weaken memory for past events, possibly by altering reconsolidation processes and thus exerting long-lasting weakening effects on the original memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Despina Antypa
- Laboratory for Behavioral Neurology and Imaging of Condition, Department of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Switzerland; Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Switzerland
| | - David Rodrigues Cabrita
- Laboratory for Behavioral Neurology and Imaging of Condition, Department of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Medicine, University of Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Patrik Vuilleumier
- Laboratory for Behavioral Neurology and Imaging of Condition, Department of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Switzerland; Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Neurology, Geneva University Hospitals, Switzerland
| | - Ulrike Rimmele
- Laboratory for Behavioral Neurology and Imaging of Condition, Department of Basic Neurosciences, University of Geneva, Switzerland; Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability (CIGEV), University of Geneva, Switzerland; Swiss National Center of Competences in Research LIVES - Overcoming vulnerabilities: life course perspective, Lausanne and Geneva, Switzerland.
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Moradi-Kor N, Ghanbari A, Rashidipour H, Yousefi B, Bandegi AR, Rashidy-Pour A. Beneficial effects of Spirulina platensis, voluntary exercise and environmental enrichment against adolescent stress induced deficits in cognitive functions, hippocampal BDNF and morphological remolding in adult female rats. Horm Behav 2019; 112:20-31. [PMID: 30917909 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2019.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Revised: 03/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Chronic exposure to stress during adolescent period has been demonstrated to impair cognitive functions and the dendritic morphology of pyramidal neurons in the rat hippocampal CA3 area. The present study investigated the combined protective effects of Spirulina platensis (SP), a supplement made from blue-green algae with neuroprotective properties, voluntary exercise (EX) and environmental enrichment (EE) against cognitive deficits, alternations in hippocampal BDNF levels, and abnormal neuronal remodeling in adult female rats (PND 60) induced by exposure to chronic restraint stress during adolescent period (PND 30-40). Rats were exposed to restraint stress (2 h/day for 10 days, PND 30-40). Then, the animals were subjected to treatment with SP (200 mg/kg/day), EX, EE and the combined treatments (SP + EX, and SP + EE) between PND 41 and 55 of age. Following the interventions, spatial learning and memory, passive avoidance performance, hippocampal dendritic morphology and BDNF levels were assessed. Results showed that plasma corticosterone levels increased at PND 40 and remained elevated at PND 55 and 70 in the stressed rats. Stressed rats showed deficits in spatial learning and memory and passive avoidance performance, decreased BDNF levels in the hippocampus, and reduced apical dendritic length and branch points of the CA3 pyramidal neurons. These deficits were alleviated by the SP, EX and EE, and the combined treatments, which accompanied with a decline in serum corticosterone in stressed animals. Some treatments even enhanced cognitive functions, and BDNF levels and neuroanatomical remodeling in the hippocampus of non-stressed animals. Our findings provide important evidences that physical activity, exposure to EE, and the SP treatment during adolescent period can protect against adolescent stress induced behavioral, biochemical and neuroanatomical impairments in adulthood.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Avoidance Learning/drug effects
- Avoidance Learning/physiology
- Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/metabolism
- Cell Extracts/pharmacology
- Cognition/drug effects
- Cognition/physiology
- Cognition Disorders/etiology
- Cognition Disorders/pathology
- Cognition Disorders/physiopathology
- Cognition Disorders/prevention & control
- Conditioning, Psychological/drug effects
- Conditioning, Psychological/physiology
- Female
- Hippocampus/drug effects
- Hippocampus/metabolism
- Hippocampus/pathology
- Hippocampus/physiopathology
- Memory/drug effects
- Memory/physiology
- Neuronal Plasticity/drug effects
- Physical Conditioning, Animal/physiology
- Rats
- Rats, Wistar
- Restraint, Physical/physiology
- Restraint, Physical/psychology
- Sexual Maturation/drug effects
- Sexual Maturation/physiology
- Social Environment
- Spatial Learning/drug effects
- Spirulina/chemistry
- Stress, Psychological/complications
- Stress, Psychological/metabolism
- Stress, Psychological/pathology
- Stress, Psychological/psychology
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasroallah Moradi-Kor
- Student Research Committee, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Ghanbari
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Hadi Rashidipour
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Garmsar Branch, Garmsar, Iran
| | - Behpour Yousefi
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ahmad Reza Bandegi
- Laboratory of Endocrine Research, Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Ali Rashidy-Pour
- Laboratory of Learning and Memory, Research Center of Physiology, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
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Couto-Pereira NDS, Lampert C, Vieira ADS, Lazzaretti C, Kincheski GC, Espejo PJ, Molina VA, Quillfeldt JA, Dalmaz C. Resilience and Vulnerability to Trauma: Early Life Interventions Modulate Aversive Memory Reconsolidation in the Dorsal Hippocampus. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:134. [PMID: 31191245 PMCID: PMC6546926 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Early life experiences program lifelong responses to stress. In agreement, resilience and vulnerability to psychopathologies, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), have been suggested to depend on the early background. New therapies have targeted memory reconsolidation as a strategy to modify the emotional valence of traumatic memories. Here, we used animal models to study the molecular mechanism through which early experiences may later affect aversive memory reconsolidation. Handling (H)—separation of pups from dams for 10 min—or maternal separation (MS) — 3-h separation—were performed from PDN1–10, using non-handled (NH) litters as controls. Adult males were trained in a contextual fear conditioning (CFC) task; 24 h later, a short reactivation session was conducted in the conditioned or in a novel context, followed by administration of midazolam 3 mg/kg i.p. (mdz), known to disturb reconsolidation, or vehicle; a test session was performed 24 h after. The immunocontent of relevant proteins was studied 15 and 60 min after memory reactivation in the dorsal hippocampus (dHc) and basolateral amygdala complex (BLA). Mdz-treated controls (NH) showed decreased freezing to the conditioned context, consistent with reconsolidation impairment, but H and MS were resistant to labilization. Additionally, MS males showed increased freezing to the novel context, suggesting fear generalization; H rats showed lower freezing than the other groups, in accordance with previous suggestions of reduced emotionality facing adversities. Increased levels of Zif268, GluN2B, β-actin and polyubiquitination found in the BLA of all groups suggest that memory reconsolidation was triggered. In the dHc, only NH showed increased Zif268 levels after memory retrieval; also, a delay in ERK1/2 activation was found in H and MS animals. We showed here that reconsolidation of a contextual fear memory is insensitive to interference by a GABAergic drug in adult male rats exposed to different neonatal experiences; surprisingly, we found no differences in the reconsolidation process in the BLA, but the dHc appears to suffer temporal desynchronization in the engagement of reconsolidation. Our results support a hippocampal-dependent mechanism for reconsolidation resistance in models of early experiences, which aligns with current hypotheses for the etiology of PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natividade de Sá Couto-Pereira
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde (ICBS), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-graduação em Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde (ICBS), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde (ICBS), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Carine Lampert
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde (ICBS), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Aline Dos Santos Vieira
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde (ICBS), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Camilla Lazzaretti
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde (ICBS), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Grasielle Clotildes Kincheski
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde (ICBS), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Pablo Javier Espejo
- Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba, Universidad Nacional de Cordoba (UNC), Cordoba, Argentina
| | - Victor Alejandro Molina
- Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba, Universidad Nacional de Cordoba (UNC), Cordoba, Argentina
| | - Jorge Alberto Quillfeldt
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde (ICBS), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Departamento de Biofísica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Carla Dalmaz
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde (ICBS), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-graduação em Neurociências, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde (ICBS), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde (ICBS), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Nitschke JP, Chu S, Pruessner JC, Bartz JA, Sheldon S. Post-learning stress reduces the misinformation effect: effects of psychosocial stress on memory updating. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 102:164-171. [PMID: 30562688 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2018] [Revised: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Episodic memories can be modified when exposed to new and related information. This phenomenon, known as memory updating, is generally thought to be adaptive but can also lead to incorporating false information into a memory trace. Given the well-known effects of stress on episodic memory, we used a false information paradigm to investigate if acute stress during memory updating (i.e., post-learning stage) affected false memory formation. In a between-subject design, young healthy participants completed the initial phases of the misinformation experiment - they studied an event via a slideshow and then were exposed a related narrative that contained misleading information about that event. After, half of the participants were exposed to acute psychosocial stress and the other half completed a control task. Once stress levels returned to baseline, all of the participants completed the final phase of the experiment, which was a memory test for slideshow that included items containing true facts and misinformation. Participants in the stress condition showed a reduced misinformation effect and were better able to discriminate true from false information compared to control participants. This pattern of results held even when participants were tested on the same memory test after a multiple day delay, illustrating the long-lasting effects of stress on false memory formation specifically, and memory updating generally. We discuss how our results add to the understanding of the time-dependent factors that moderate stress effects on memory, and speculate how stress effects on memory updating can be positive, by limiting intrusions into encoded events, but also negative, by limiting the ability to integrate information with other concepts, harming memory generalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas P Nitschke
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Avenue McGill College 2001, H3A 1G1 Montreal, Canada.
| | - Sonja Chu
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Avenue McGill College 2001, H3A 1G1 Montreal, Canada
| | - Jens C Pruessner
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Jennifer A Bartz
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Avenue McGill College 2001, H3A 1G1 Montreal, Canada
| | - Signy Sheldon
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, Avenue McGill College 2001, H3A 1G1 Montreal, Canada
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Sheldon S, Chu S, Nitschke JP, Pruessner JC, Bartz JA. The dynamic interplay between acute psychosocial stress, emotion and autobiographical memory. Sci Rep 2018; 8:8684. [PMID: 29875390 PMCID: PMC5989264 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26890-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 05/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Although acute psychosocial stress can impact autobiographical memory retrieval, the nature of this effect is not entirely clear. One reason for this ambiguity is because stress can have opposing effects on the different stages of autobiographical memory retrieval. We addressed this issue by testing how acute stress affects three stages of the autobiographical memory retrieval - accessing, recollecting and reconsolidating a memory. We also investigate the influence of emotion valence on this effect. In a between-subjects design, participants were first exposed to an acute psychosocial stressor or a control task. Next, the participants were shown positive, negative or neutral retrieval cues and asked to access and describe autobiographical memories. After a three to four day delay, participants returned for a second session in which they described these autobiographical memories. During initial retrieval, stressed participants were slower to access memories than were control participants; moreover, cortisol levels were positively associated with response times to access positively-cued memories. There were no effects of stress on the amount of details used to describe memories during initial retrieval, but stress did influence memory detail during session two. During session two, stressed participants recovered significantly more details, particularly emotional ones, from the remembered events than control participants. Our results indicate that the presence of stress impairs the ability to access consolidated autobiographical memories; moreover, although stress has no effect on memory recollection, stress alters how recollected experiences are reconsolidated back into memory traces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Signy Sheldon
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, 2001 McGill College, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 1G1, Canada.
| | - Sonja Chu
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, 2001 McGill College, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 1G1, Canada
| | - Jonas P Nitschke
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, 2001 McGill College, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 1G1, Canada
| | - Jens C Pruessner
- Department of Psychology, University of Constance, Universitätsstraße 10, Konstanz, 78464, Germany
| | - Jennifer A Bartz
- Department of Psychology, McGill University, 2001 McGill College, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 1G1, Canada
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13
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The role of glucocorticoids in emotional memory reconsolidation. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2017; 142:126-134. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2016.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Revised: 11/09/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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Affiliation(s)
- Conny W. E. M. Quaedflieg
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Lars Schwabe
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
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Meir Drexler S, Merz CJ, Hamacher-Dang TC, Wolf OT. Cortisol effects on fear memory reconsolidation in women. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2016; 233:2687-97. [PMID: 27137198 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-016-4314-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Previous work from our group has shown that cortisol enhances fear reconsolidation in men. Whether similar effects can be observed in women remains an open question. OBJECTIVES The effects of cortisol on the reconsolidation of fear memories were investigated in women. Based on results in men, we expected a specific enhancing effect of cortisol administration on the reactivated fear memory. In addition, possible interactions with oral contraceptive use were tested. METHODS We incorporated a differential fear conditioning paradigm in a 3-day reconsolidation design. A fear memory, which was created on the first day, was reactivated on the second day following cortisol administration in the target group. One control group was given cortisol without reactivation, and the other participated in the reactivation session following placebo intake. On the third day, the return of fear for all stimuli following reinstatement was tested. Skin conductance response served as measure of conditioned response. RESULTS In contrast to the hypothesis, cortisol in combination with reactivation did not enhance fear reconsolidation. No differences between the three experimental groups were apparent. In addition, hormonal contraceptive use had no effect on any of the learning phases and did not interact with the cortisol manipulation. CONCLUSIONS The lack of an effect in women might be the result of alternating concentrations of sex hormones during different phases of the menstrual cycle or following oral contraceptive use. Considering the higher vulnerability of women to stress-related mental disorders, further investigations in women are of great importance for both theory and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shira Meir Drexler
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany
- International Graduate School of Neuroscience, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801, Bochum, Germany
| | - Christian J Merz
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany
| | - Tanja C Hamacher-Dang
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany
| | - Oliver T Wolf
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstraße 150, 44801, Bochum, Germany.
- International Graduate School of Neuroscience, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44801, Bochum, Germany.
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Epinephrine increases contextual learning through activation of peripheral β2-adrenoceptors. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2016; 233:2099-2108. [PMID: 26935825 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-016-4254-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2015] [Accepted: 02/22/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase knockout (Pnmt-KO) mice are unable to synthesize epinephrine and display reduced contextual fear. However, the precise mechanism responsible for impaired contextual fear learning in these mice is unknown. OBJECTIVES Our aim was to study the mechanism of epinephrine-dependent contextual learning. METHODS Wild-type (WT) or Pnmt-KO (129x1/SvJ) mice were submitted to a fear conditioning test either in the absence or in the presence of epinephrine, isoprenaline (non-selective β-adrenoceptor agonist), fenoterol (selective β2-adrenoceptor agonist), epinephrine plus sotalol (non-selective β-adrenoceptor antagonist), and dobutamine (selective β1-adrenoceptor agonist). Catecholamines were separated by reverse-phase HPLC and quantified by electrochemical detection. Blood glucose was measured by coulometry. RESULTS Re-exposure to shock context induced higher freezing in WT and Pnmt-KO mice treated with epinephrine and fenoterol than in mice treated with vehicle. In addition, freezing response in Pnmt-KO mice was much lower than in WT mice. Freezing induced by epinephrine was blocked by sotalol in Pnmt-KO mice. Epinephrine and fenoterol treatment restored glycemic response in Pnmt-KO mice. Re-exposure to shock context did not induce a significant difference in freezing in Pnmt-KO mice treated with dobutamine and vehicle. CONCLUSIONS Aversive memories are best retained if moderately high plasma epinephrine concentrations occur at the same moment as the aversive stimulus. In addition, epinephrine increases context fear learning by acting on peripheral β2-adrenoceptors, which may induce high levels of blood glucose. Since glucose crosses the blood-brain barrier, it may enhance hippocampal-dependent contextual learning.
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Abstract
Fear memory is the best-studied form of memory. It was thoroughly investigated in the past 60 years mostly using two classical conditioning procedures (contextual fear conditioning and fear conditioning to a tone) and one instrumental procedure (one-trial inhibitory avoidance). Fear memory is formed in the hippocampus (contextual conditioning and inhibitory avoidance), in the basolateral amygdala (inhibitory avoidance), and in the lateral amygdala (conditioning to a tone). The circuitry involves, in addition, the pre- and infralimbic ventromedial prefrontal cortex, the central amygdala subnuclei, and the dentate gyrus. Fear learning models, notably inhibitory avoidance, have also been very useful for the analysis of the biochemical mechanisms of memory consolidation as a whole. These studies have capitalized on in vitro observations on long-term potentiation and other kinds of plasticity. The effect of a very large number of drugs on fear learning has been intensively studied, often as a prelude to the investigation of effects on anxiety. The extinction of fear learning involves to an extent a reversal of the flow of information in the mentioned structures and is used in the therapy of posttraumatic stress disorder and fear memories in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Izquierdo
- National Institute of Translational Neuroscience, National Research Council of Brazil, and Memory Center, Brain Institute, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Cristiane R. G. Furini
- National Institute of Translational Neuroscience, National Research Council of Brazil, and Memory Center, Brain Institute, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Jociane C. Myskiw
- National Institute of Translational Neuroscience, National Research Council of Brazil, and Memory Center, Brain Institute, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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Effects of Cortisol on Reconsolidation of Reactivated Fear Memories. Neuropsychopharmacology 2015; 40:3036-43. [PMID: 26058664 PMCID: PMC4864639 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2015.160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2015] [Revised: 05/21/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The return of conditioned fear after successful extinction (eg, following exposure therapy) is a significant problem in the treatment of anxiety disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Targeting the reconsolidation of fear memories may allow a more lasting effect as it intervenes with the original memory trace. Indeed, several pharmacological agents and behavioral interventions have been shown to alter (enhance, impair, or otherwise update) the reconsolidation of reactivated memories of different types. Cortisol is a stress hormone and a potent modulator of learning and memory, yet its effects on fear memory reconsolidation are unclear. To investigate whether cortisol intervenes with the reconsolidation of fear memories in healthy males and how specific this effect might be, we built a 3-day reconsolidation design with skin conductance response (SCR) as a measure of conditioned fear: Fear acquisition on day 1; reactivation/no-reactivation of one conditioned stimulus and pharmacological intervention on day 2; extinction learning followed by reinstatement and reinstatement test on day 3. The groups differed only in the experimental manipulation on day 2: Reactivation+Cortisol Group, Reactivation+Placebo Group, or No-reactivation+Cortisol Group. Our results revealed an enhancing effect of cortisol on reconsolidation of the reactivated memory. The effect was highly specific, strengthening only the memory of the reactivated conditioned stimulus and not the non-reactivated one. Our findings are in line with previous findings showing an enhancing effect of behavioral stress on the reconsolidation of other types of memories. These results have implications for the understanding and treatment of anxiety disorders and PTSD.
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The role of stress during memory reactivation on intrusive memories. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2015; 123:28-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2015.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2014] [Revised: 04/05/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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Abstract
We share the idea of Lane et al. that successful psychotherapy exerts its effects through memory reconsolidation. To support it, we add further evidence that a behavioral interference may trigger memory update during reconsolidation. Furthermore, we propose that - in addition to replacing maladaptive emotions - new emotions experienced in the therapeutic process catalyze reconsolidation of the updated memory structure.
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Rimmele U, Besedovsky L, Lange T, Born J. Emotional memory can be persistently weakened by suppressing cortisol during retrieval. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2015; 119:102-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2015.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2014] [Revised: 01/17/2015] [Accepted: 01/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Dodd SX, Lukowiak K. Sequential exposure to a combination of stressors blocks memory reconsolidation in Lymnaea. J Exp Biol 2015; 218:923-30. [PMID: 25617463 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.114876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Stress alters the formation of long-term memory (LTM) in Lymnaea. When snails are exposed to more than one stressor, however, how the memory is altered becomes complicated. Here, we investigated how multiple stressors applied in a specific pattern affect an aspect of memory not often studied in regards to stress - reconsolidation. We hypothesized that the application of a sequence of stressors would block the reconsolidation process. Reconsolidation occurs following activation of a previously formed memory. Sequential crowding and handling were used as the stressors to block reconsolidation. When the two stressors were sequentially presented immediately following memory activation, reconsolidation was blocked. However, if the sequential presentation of the stressors was delayed for 1 h after memory activation, reconsolidation was not blocked. That is, LTM was observed. Finally, presentation of either stressor alone did not block reconsolidation. Thus, stressors can block reconsolidation, which may be preferable to pharmacological manipulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn Xavier Dodd
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 4N1
| | - Ken Lukowiak
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 4N1
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Abstract
Whereas fear memories are rapidly acquired and enduring over time, extinction memories are slow to form and are susceptible to disruption. Consequently, behavioral therapies that involve extinction learning (e.g., exposure therapy) often produce only temporary suppression of fear and anxiety. This review focuses on the factors that are known to influence the relapse of extinguished fear. Several phenomena associated with the return of fear after extinction are discussed, including renewal, spontaneous recovery, reacquisition, and reinstatement. Additionally, this review describes recent work, which has focused on the role of psychological stress in the relapse of extinguished fear. Recent developments in behavioral and pharmacological research are examined in light of treatment of pathological fear in humans.
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