Interference Conditions of the Reconsolidation Process in Humans: The Role of Valence and Different Memory Systems

Following the presentation of a reminder, consolidated memories become reactivated followed by a process of re-stabilization, which is referred to as reconsolidation. The most common behavioral tool used to reveal this process is interference produced by new learning shortly after memory reactivation. Memory interference is defined as a decrease in memory retrieval, the effect is generated when new information impairs an acquired memory. In general, the target memory and the interference task used are the same. Here we investigated how different memory systems and/or their valence could produce memory reconsolidation interference. We showed that a reactivated neutral declarative memory could be interfered by new learning of a different neutral declarative memory. Then, we revealed that an aversive implicit memory could be interfered by the presentation of a reminder followed by a threatening social event. Finally, we showed that the reconsolidation of a neutral declarative memory is unaffected by the acquisition of an aversive implicit memory and conversely, this memory remains intact when the neutral declarative memory is used as interference. These results suggest that the interference of memory reconsolidation is effective when two task rely on the same memory system or both evoke negative valence.Fil: Fernández, Rodrigo Sebastián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias; ArgentinaFil: Bavassi, Mariana Luz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Física; ArgentinaFil: Kaczer, Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias; ArgentinaFil: Forcato, Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias; ArgentinaFil: Pedreira, Maria Eugenia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias; Argentin

The Role and Dynamic of Strengthening in the Reconsolidation Process in a Human Declarative Memory: What Decides the Fate of Recent and Older Memories?

Several reports have shown that after specific reminders are presented, consolidated memories pass from a stable state to one in which the memory is reactivated. This reactivation implies that memories are labile and susceptible to amnesic agents. This susceptibility decreases over time and leads to a re-stabilization phase usually known as reconsolidation. With respect to the biological role of reconsolidation, two functions have been proposed. First, the reconsolidation process allows new information to be integrated into the background of the original memory; second, it strengthens the original memory. We have previously demonstrated that both of these functions occur in the reconsolidation of human declarative memories. Our paradigm consisted of learning verbal material (lists of five pairs of nonsense syllables) acquired by a training process (L1-training) on Day 1 of our experiment. After this declarative memory is consolidated, it can be made labile by presenting a specific reminder. After this, the memory passes through a subsequent stabilization process. Strengthening creates a new scenario for the reconsolidation process; this function represents a new factor that may transform the dynamic of memories. First, we analyzed whether the repeated labilization-reconsolidation processes maintained the memory for longer periods of time. We showed that at least one labilization-reconsolidation process strengthens a memory via evaluation 5 days after its re-stabilization. We also demonstrated that this effect is not triggered by retrieval only. We then analyzed the way strengthening modified the effect of an amnesic agent that was presented immediately after repeated labilizations. The repeated labilization-reconsolidation processes made the memory more resistant to interference during re-stabilization. Finally, we evaluated whether the effect of strengthening may depend on the age of the memory. We found that the effect of strengthening did depend on the age of the memory. Forgetting may represent a process that weakens the effect of strengthening.Fil: Forcato, Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Invest.cientif.y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiol., Biol.molecular y Neurociencias;Fil: Fernández, Rodrigo Sebastián. Consejo Nacional de Invest.cientif.y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiol., Biol.molecular y Neurociencias;Fil: Pedreira, Maria Eugenia. Consejo Nacional de Invest.cientif.y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiol., Biol.molecular y Neurociencias

Learning new words: Memory reactivation as a mechanism for strengthening and updating a novel word´s meaning

In the present study we explored the post-learning changes in a novel word’s definition using a cue-induced memory reactivation. Native speakers of Spanish (N=373) learned low-frequency words with their corresponding definitions. The following day, reactivated groups were exposed to a reminder and provided a subjective assessment of reactivation for each word, while control groups did not receive a reactivation. Study A demonstrated that memory reactivation enhances both explicit recall and semantic integration of new meanings. Study B investigated the effect of memory reactivation in the modification of the new meanings, through three different experiments. Results show an improvement of the updated definitions according to each word´s reactivation strength. In addition, congruence with previous knowledge was suggested to be a boundary condition, while consolidation time had a positive modulatory effect. Our findings call attention to reactivation as a factor allowing for malleability as well as persistence of long-term memories for words.Fil: Laurino, Julieta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias; ArgentinaFil: Forcato, Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Coaker, Nicole. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias; ArgentinaFil: Pedreira, Maria Eugenia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias; ArgentinaFil: Kaczer, Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias; Argentin

Impairment of aversive episodic memories during COVID-19 Pandemic: The impact of emotional context on memory processes

The threatening context of the COVID-19 pandemic provided a unique settingto study the effects of negative psychological symptoms on memory processes. Episodic memory is an essential function of the human being related to the ability tostore and remember experiences and anticipate possible events in the future.Studying this function in this context is crucial to help understand what effects thepandemic will have on the formation of episodic memories. To study this, theformation of episodic memories was evaluated by free recall, recognition, andepisode order tasks for an aversive and neutral content. The results indicated thataversive episodic memory is impaired both in the free recall task and in therecognition task. Even the beneficial effect that emotional memory usually has for theepisodic order was undermined as there were no differences between the neutraland aversive condition. The present work adds to the evidence that indicates that thelevel of activation does not modify memory processes in a linear way, which also depends on the type of evocation that people are asked and the characteristics ofthe content to be encoded.Fil: León, Candela Sofía. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Innocence Project Argentina; ArgentinaFil: Bonilla, Matías. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Urreta Benitez, Facundo Antonio. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Brusco, Luis Ignacio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Wang, Jingyi. Beijing Normal University; China. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Forcato, Cecilia. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Modification of maladaptive memories during sleep and wakefulness: an interdisciplinary perspective

Las memorias consolidadas pueden atravesar por un período de labilidad frente a la presentación de recordatorios (claves ligadas al aprendizaje inicial), seguido de un proceso de re-estabilización conocido como reconsolidación. Por otro lado, el sueño tiene un rol activo en la formación y modificación de memorias, así como en la reducción del tono emocional de las experiencias. Durante el mismo, las nuevas memorias se reactivan, refuerzan e integran a las redes mnésicas preexistentes. Dentro del contexto terapéutico, se pueden evocar memorias antiguas según la necesidad del sujeto, lo que podría estar desencadenando constantes labilizaciones/reestabilizaciones, quizás sin ser conscientes de ello. En la presente revisión bibliográfica discutimos los avances neurocientíficos relacionados a la reactivación y modificación de memorias durante la vigilia y el sueño, así como los últimos desarrollos en terapias psicoterapéuticas para trastornos de ansiedad, con el objetivo de pensar una práctica más interdisciplinaria.As memórias consolidadas podem passar por um período de labilidade diante da apresentação de lembretes (chaves vinculadas ao aprendizado inicial), seguidos por um processo de reestabilização conhecido como reconsolidação. Por outro lado, o sono tem um papel ativo na formação e modificação de memórias, bem como na redução do tom emocional das experiências. Durante isso, as novas memórias são reativadas, reforçadas e integradas às redes de memória pré-existentes. No contexto terapêutico, velhas lembranças podem ser evocadas de acordo com a necessidade do sujeito, o que pode estar desencadeando constantes desestabilizações reestabilizações, talvez sem ter consciência disso. Nesta revisão bibliográfica, discutimos os avanços neurocientíficos relacionados à reativação e modificação de memórias durante a vigília e o sono, bem como os últimos desenvolvimentos em terapias psicoterapêuticas para transtornos de ansiedade, com o objetivo de pensar em uma prática mais interdisciplinar.Consolidated memories can return to a labile state after a reminder presentation (cue associated to the initial learning) followed by a re-stabilization process known as reconsolidation. Furthermore, sleep has an active role in the formation and modification of memories, as well as in decreasing the emotional tone of the experiences. During sleep, new memories are reactivated, reinforced and integrated into pre-existing networks. Within the therapeutic context, old memories can be retrieved according to the subject's needs, and this could be triggering repeated labilization/restabilization processes, perhaps without being aware of it. In this review we discuss the neuroscientific advances regarding memory reactivation and modification during sleep and wakefulness, as well as the latest approaches in psychotherapeutic therapies for anxiety disorders, with the aim of thinking about a more interdisciplinary practice.Dossier: Memoria y emociónFacultad de Psicologí

Reactivation during sleep with incomplete reminder cues rather than complete ones stabilizes long-term memory in humans

Reactivation by reminder cues labilizes memories during wakefulness, requiring reconsolidation to persist. In contrast, during sleep, cued reactivation seems to directly stabilize memories. In reconsolidation, incomplete reminders are more effective in reactivating memories than complete reminders by inducing a mismatch, i.e. a discrepancy between expected and actual events. Whether mismatch is likewise detected during sleep is unclear. Here we test whether cued reactivation during sleep is more effective for mismatch-inducing incomplete than complete reminders. We first establish that only incomplete but not complete reminders labilize memories during wakefulness. When complete or incomplete reminders are presented during 40-min sleep, both reminders are equally effective in stabilizing memories. However, when extending the retention interval for another 7 hours (following 40-min sleep), only incomplete but not complete reminders stabilize memories, regardless of the extension containing wakefulness or sleep. We propose that, during sleep, only incomplete reminders initiate long-term memory stabilization via mismatch detection.Fil: Forcato, Cecilia. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires. Departamento de Investigación y Doctorado; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Klinzing, Jens G.. Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen; Alemania. University of Princeton; Estados UnidosFil: Carbone, Julia. Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen; AlemaniaFil: Radloff, Michael. Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen; AlemaniaFil: Weber, Frederik D.. Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen. Donders Instituto Brain Cognition and Behavior. SNN Machine Learning Group; Países BajosFil: Born, Jan. Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen; AlemaniaFil: Diekelmann, Susanne. Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen; Alemani

Sleep hygiene impacts on episodic memories in young and older adults during quarantine by Covid-19: preliminary results

Sleep benefits off-line memory consolidation. Due to quarantine by Covid-19, sleep routines and sleep quality were affected. Preliminary results from our Lab showed that episodic memory formation is impaired by emotional variables, such as anxiety and depression. We hypothesize that sleep hygiene during quarantine positively impacts memory processes and emotional variables. To test this, we perform a 21-day study. Young and older participants were trained on the episodic memory task (video of neutral content). On day 7 they were tested and half of them began a sleep hygiene program. On day 14, participants were trained in a new episodic task and were tested on day 21. We found that young and older adults that received the sleep hygiene treatment had a positive impact on memory performance. Furthermore, older adults had better performance in memory recognition than young adults independently of the hygiene treatment. Moreover, older adults that received the sleep hygiene treatment showed a positive correlation between the total amount of sleep hygiene activities and the amount of correct recognition as well as a negative correlation with false recognition. We did not found a significant effect on emotional variables. These results demonstrate that sleep hygiene can be an effective tool for young and older adults to improve memory, however one-week treatment is not enough to induce emotional improvements.Fil: Tassone, Leonela Magali. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Moyano, Malen Daiana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Solferino, C.. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Feldberg, Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto de Neurociencias Buenos Aires S. A.; ArgentinaFil: Tartaglini, Maria Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto de Neurociencias Buenos Aires S. A.; ArgentinaFil: Brusco, I.. Centro de Neuropsiquiatría y Neurología de la Conducta; ArgentinaFil: Forcato, Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaXXXV Annual Meeting of the Argentinian Society for Neuroscience ResearchCiudad Autónoma de Buenos AiresArgentinaSociedad Argentina de Investigación en Neurociencia

Modification of maladaptive memories during sleep and wakefulness: An interdisciplinary perspective

Las memorias consolidadas pueden atravesar por un período de labilidad frente a la presentación de recordatorios (claves ligadas al aprendizaje inicial), seguido de un proceso de re-estabilización conocido como reconsolidación. Por otro lado, el sueño tiene un rol activo en la formación y modificación de memorias, así como en la reducción del tono emocional de las experiencias. Durante el mismo, las nuevas memorias se reactivan, refuerzan e integran a las redes mnésicas preexistentes. Dentro del contexto terapéutico, se pueden evocar memorias antiguas según la necesidad del sujeto, lo que podría estar desencadenando constantes labilizaciones/reestabilizaciones, quizás sin ser conscientes de ello. En la presente revisión bibliográfica discutimos los avances neurocientíficos relacionados a la reactivación y modificación de memorias durante la vigilia y el sueño, así como los últimos desarrollos en terapias psicoterapéuticas para trastornos de ansiedad, con el objetivo de pensar una práctica más interdisciplinaria.As memórias consolidadas podem passar por um período de labilidade diante da apresentação de lembretes (chaves vinculadas ao aprendizado inicial), seguidos por um processo de reestabilização conhecido como reconsolidação. Por outro lado, o sono tem um papel ativo na formação e modificação de memórias, bem como na redução do tom emocional das experiências. Durante isso, as novas memórias são reativadas, reforçadas e integradas às redes de memória pré-existentes. No contexto terapêutico, velhas lembranças podem ser evocadas de acordo com a necessidade do sujeito, o que pode estar desencadeando constantes desestabilizações reestabilizações, talvez sem ter consciência disso. Nesta revisão bibliográfica, discutimos os avanços neurocientíficos relacionados à reativação e modificação de memórias durante a vigília e o sono, bem como os últimos desenvolvimentos em terapias psicoterapêuticas para transtornos de ansiedade, com o objetivo de pensar em uma prática mais interdisciplinar.Consolidated memories can return to a labile state after a reminder presentation (cue associated to the initial learning) followed by a re-stabilization process known as reconsolidation. Furthermore, sleep has an active role in the formation and modification of memories, as well as in decreasing the emotional tone of the experiences. During sleep, new memories are reactivated, reinforced and integrated into pre-existing networks. Within the therapeutic context, old memories can be retrieved according to the subject's needs, and this could be triggering repeated labilization/restabilization processes, perhaps without being aware of it. In this review we discuss the neuroscientific advances regarding memory reactivation and modification during sleep and wakefulness, as well as the latest approaches in psychotherapeutic therapies for anxiety disorders, with the aim of thinking about a more interdisciplinary practice.Fil: Bonilla, Matías. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Jorge, Camila Isabel. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Moyano, Malen Daiana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Forcato, Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires; Argentin

One-week sleep hygiene education improves episodic memory in young but not in older adults during social isolation

Memory formation is a dynamic process that comprises different phases, such as encoding, consolidation and retrieval. It could be altered by several factors such as sleep quality, anxiety, and depression levels. In the last years, due to COVID-19 pandemic, there was a reduction in sleep quality, an increase in anxiety and depressive symptoms as well as an impairment in emotional episodic memory encoding, especially in young adults. Taking into account the profound impact of sleep quality in daily life a series of rules has been developed that are conducive to consistently achieving good sleep, known as sleep hygiene education. These interventions have been shown to be effective in improving sleep quality and duration and reducing depressive and anxiety symptoms. Here we propose the implementation of a brief sleep hygiene education to improve sleep quality and memory performance as well as to diminish anxiety and depressive scores. For that, participants were divided into two groups: Sleep hygiene education and control group. After that, they were evaluated for anxiety, depression, and sleep quality levels and trained on an episodic memory task. They were tested immediately after (short-term test) and also 1 week later (long-term test). This procedure was also performed before the sleep hygiene education and was taken as baseline level. We found that episodic memory performance for young adults improved for the SHE group after intervention but not for older adults, and no improvements in emotional variables were observed. Despite not observing a significant effect of the intervention for young and older adults regarding the sleep quality scores, we consider that there may be an improvement in sleep physiology that is not subjectively perceived, but would also have a positive impact on memory processes. These results show that even a sleep hygiene education of 1 week could improve cognition in young adults when acute memory and sleep impairment occurs, in this case, due to the isolation by COVID-19 pandemic. However, we suggest that longer interventions should be implemented for older adults who already experience a natural decline in cognitive processes such as episodic memory formation

Positive modulation of a neutral declarative memory by a threatening social event

Memories can be altered by negative or arousing experiences due to the activation of the stress-responsive sympatho-adrenal-medullary axis (SYM). Here we used a neutral declarative memory that was acquired during multi-trial training to determine the effect of a threatening event on memory withouth emotional valence. To thgis end, participants received a new threatening social protocolbefore learning pairs of meanningless syllabes and were tested either 15´, 2 days or 8 days after acquisition. We first demostrate that this threatening social situation activates not only the SYM axis.Fil: Fernández, Rodrigo Sebastián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias; ArgentinaFil: Bavassi, Mariana Luz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias; ArgentinaFil: Campos, Jorge. Fundación para la Lucha contra las Enfermedades Neurológicas de la Infancia; ArgentinaFil: Allegri, Ricardo Francisco. Fundación para la Lucha contra las Enfermedades Neurológicas de la Infancia; ArgentinaFil: Molina, Víctor Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Farmacología Experimental de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Forcato, Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias; ArgentinaFil: Pedreira, Maria Eugenia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias; Argentin