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Reconsolidation and Trauma Memory

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Cognitive Neuroscience of Memory Consolidation

Abstract

This chapter highlights how advances in reconsolidation research could lead to the development of novel treatments to influence traumatic memories. Patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) suffer from recurrent intrusive memories of the traumatic event(s). The concept of reconsolidation implies that already consolidated memories can be changed after reactivating them and applying an update to the original memory trace. This chapter briefly reviews the relevant literature on (mainly human) reconsolidation research. Afterwards, PTSD is explained as a disorder of memory. Finally, first approaches are described that make use of postulated reconsolidation-update mechanisms in order to change traumatic memories.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, LWL-University Hospital, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany

    Henrik Kessler

  2. Mental Health Research and Treatment Center, Department of Psychology, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Massenbergstraße 9-13, 44787, Bochum, Germany

    Simon E. Blackwell

  3. Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, LWL-University Hospital, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany

    Aram Kehyayan

Authors
  1. Henrik Kessler
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  2. Simon E. Blackwell
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  3. Aram Kehyayan
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Correspondence to Henrik Kessler .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany

    Nikolai Axmacher

  2. University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland

    Björn Rasch

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Kessler, H., Blackwell, S.E., Kehyayan, A. (2017). Reconsolidation and Trauma Memory. In: Axmacher, N., Rasch, B. (eds) Cognitive Neuroscience of Memory Consolidation. Studies in Neuroscience, Psychology and Behavioral Economics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-45066-7_22

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