Neurochemical and molecular mechanisms underlying the retrieval-extinction effect.
Extinction within the reconsolidation window, or 'retrieval-extinction', has received much research interest as a possible technique for targeting the reconsolidation of maladaptive memories with a behavioural intervention. However, it remains to be determined whether the retrieval-extinction effect-a long-term reduction in fear behaviour, which appears resistant to spontaneous recovery, renewal and reinstatement-depends specifically on destabilisation of the original memory (the 'reconsolidation-update' account) or represents facilitation of an extinction memory (the 'extinction-facilitation' account). We propose that comparing the neurotransmitter systems, receptors and intracellular signalling pathways recruited by reconsolidation, extinction and retrieval-extinction will provide a way of distinguishing between these accounts.
['Cahill|Emma N|EN|', 'Milton|Amy L|AL|http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0175-9417']
D000818:Animals D003213:Conditioning, Psychological D005108:Extinction, Psychological D005239:Fear D006801:Humans D008568:Memory D011954:Receptors, Dopamine D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
Retrieval-Extinction Extinction Reconsolidation Memory Behaviour