Extinction during reconsolidation of threat memory diminishes prefrontal cortex involvement

TLDR

Targeting reconsolidation can persistently alter threat memories, yet extinction leaves the amygdala representation intact while the prefrontal cortex suppresses its expression, allowing responses to recover. The study aimed to determine whether reconsolidation targeting could eliminate the need for prefrontal inhibition. Researchers compared standard extinction with extinction performed during reconsolidation to test this hypothesis. Behavioral interference of reconsolidation bypassed prefrontal circuitry, producing a more persistent loss of learned responses and indicating that this approach could enhance treatment of fear and anxiety disorders.

Abstract

Significance An advantage of targeting reconsolidation to control reactions to learned threats is that the memory appears to be persistently altered, not inhibited. When these memories are diminished through extinction, the amygdala’s representation remains largely intact and the prefrontal cortex inhibits its expression, thus allowing the learned responses to recover. Targeting reconsolidation, therefore, should eliminate the necessity of prefrontal inhibition. We tested this hypothesis by contrasting standard extinction with extinction occurring during reconsolidation. We observed that behavioral interference of reconsolidation appears to bypass the prefrontal circuitry of extinction, inducing a more persistent loss of learned responses. Application of this strategy, which targets underlying learned threat processes, to fear and anxiety disorders may provide a more effective approach to treatment.