LAUSR

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Consolidated memories become labile upon reactivation and as a result have to go through reconsolidation to become re-stabilized. This property of memory may potentially be used to reduce the impact of highly negative episodic memories. Because detailed and vivid negative memories are mediated by high arousal, if arousal is lessened during reconsolidation, memory accuracy and vividness should diminish. In this study, we examined this hypothesis. METHODS Participants (N = 72) viewed a stressful, suspenseful video on Day 1 to develop negative episodic memories. Then, 24-29 h later, they saw a brief reminder of the stressful video (or not), and then viewed a neutral, calming (or positive) video. Another 24-29 h later, participants were tested on the accuracy, vividness, and anxiety associated with their memory of the stressful video on Day 1. RESULTS Participants who watched the reminder and then the neutral video showed reduced memory accuracy compared to participants in the other groups. Despite the reduction in memory accuracy, their memory vividness and anxiety associated with the stressful video did not decrease. LIMITATIONS The use of undergraduates prevents generalizations to clinical populations. Also, the study did not test long-term memories that were more than 2 days old. CONCLUSIONS Neutral mood induction during reconsolidation reduces the accuracy of highly negative episodic memories.