Does reconsolidation occur in natural settings? Memory reconsolidation and anxiety disorders

Abstract

In normal settings, our brain is able to update its stored representations in content, strength, and/or expectations by the memory reconsolidation process. Thus, a reactivated memory enters in a transient labile state (destabilization) followed by a re-stabilization phase in order to persist (memory reconsolidation). Cognitive neuroscience and its insight into psychiatric problems attributed a close relationship between memory (formation, maintenance, and utilization) and several mental disorders. In this framework, the reconsolidation process could be not only the mechanism for maintenance of some psychopathologies, but also open a novel therapeutic window. Here we aim to integrate recent experimental and theoretical research on memory reconsolidation and anxiety disorders maintenance. We propose a bayesian-like model about anxiety disorders persistence and postulate a new theoretical framework for how anxiety disorders are maintained through impaired memory updating due to a dysfunctional prediction error minimization strategy and anticipatory responses to threat.

Keywords: Anxiety; Bayesian learning; Learning models; Memory reconsolidation; Memory schema; Mental disorders.