Memory retrieval, reconsolidation, and extinction: Exploring the boundary conditions of post-conditioning cue exposure

Abstract

Following fear conditioning, behavior can be reduced by giving many CS-alone presentations in a process known as extinction or by presenting a few CS-alone presentations and interfering with subsequent memory reconsolidation. While the two share procedural similarities, both the behavioral outcomes and the neurobiological underpinnings are distinct. Here we review the neural and behavioral mechanisms that produce these separate behavioral reductions, as well as some factors that determine whether or not a retrieval-dependent reconsolidation process or an extinction process will be in effect.

Elevated fear states facilitate ventral hippocampal engagement of basolateral amygdala neuronal activity

“…This outcome is likely not the case here as, again, presenting several weak shocks actually reduces conditional freezing. Instead, we have recently argued that the behavioral difference between presenting a couple (e.g., two) or several (e.g., ten) weak shocks is similar to the difference between presentations of a few or several CSs following fear conditioning ( Ferrara et al, 2023b ). That is, presenting few CSs without unconditional stimuli will engage memory retrieval and reconsolidation processes whereas presenting many CSs will instead engage extinction processes, which creates a new inhibitory memory that competes with the original for expression.…”