Targeted Reactivation of Emotional Memories during Sleep

Presenter

Madeline Standwill

Group Members

Meera Parthasarathy, Eric J. Kidder

Campus

UMass Amherst

Sponsor

Rebecca Spencer, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, UMass Amherst

Schedule

Session 5, 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM [Schedule by Time][Poster Grid for Time/Location]

Location

Poster Board A52, Campus Center Auditorium, Row 3 (A41-A60) [Poster Location Map]

Abstract

Sleep is known to benefit memory consolidation, with slow-wave sleep (SWS) playing a predominant role. Previous studies have successfully enhanced consolidation of emotionally neutral memories through a technique known as targeted memory reactivation, where sensory cues are paired with learned stimuli and then reintroduced during SWS. Our study investigates the role that SWS reactivation plays in strengthening emotional memory, as past research has been inconclusive regarding this question. Young adult participants were exposed to olfactory cues while learning the locations of 36 pictures arranged in a 6 x 6 grid. Half of the pictures were negative and the other half were neutral, distributed evenly throughout the grid. Half of each picture type was paired with Odor A, and the other half was paired with Odor B. Either Odor A or B was subsequently presented during SWS (the cuing odor). Memory recall was tested immediately after learning, the next morning after sleep, and one week later. Analyses will compare overnight and over-week memory change for picture locations paired with the cuing odor (cued items) versus the control odor (non-cued items). We expect greater memory preservation/enhancement for cued relative to non-cued items, and we expect this effect to be stronger for negative compared to neutral items. This outcome would indicate a causal role of SWS reactivation in emotional memory consolidation and suggest preferential consolidation of emotional versus neutral memories.  

Keywords

Sleep, Memory, Emotional memory, Olfactometer, Cognition

Research Area

Neuroscience and Cognitive Science

SIMILAR ABSTRACTS (BY KEYWORD)