Lose the fear and boost the everyday memory through memory destabilisation and reconsolidation

Abstract

This review starts with a brief description of key findings from Nader et al. (2000) which stimulate vibrant research of memory reconsolidation in the new millennium. It then zooms in to two aspects of the process that have important implications on whether a memory is susceptible to reconsolidation interference. First, memory strength contributes to a boundary condition on reconsolidation. The relevant receptor and circuit mechanisms are reviewed. Second, reactivation procedures affect memory destabilisation and memory susceptibility to reconsolidation interference. Recent null findings are briefly mentioned. Finally, it covers current discoveries of 'tagging along' reconsolidation to boost memory persistence. This review primarily focuses on evidence from fear conditioning paradigms, as interfering reconsolidation of fear memory paves ways for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Hippocampal-dependent spatial memories and reconsolidation are then discussed, as this approach provides crucial implications in boosting everyday memory persistence and insights on improving cognitive functions in aging.

Keywords: Amygdala; Behavioural tagging; Glutamatergic receptors; Hippocampus; Post-traumatic stress disorders; Protein synthesis.