Targeted memory reactivation during sleep improves emotional memory modulation following imagery rescripting

Abstract Targeted Memory Reactivation (TMR) during sleep benefits memory integration and consolidation. In this pre-registered study, we investigated the effects of TMR applied during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep following modulation and updating of aversive autobiographical memories using im...

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Main Authors: Dominique Recher, Judith Rohde, Giulia Da Poian, Mirka Henninger, Luzius Brogli, Reto Huber, Walter Karlen, Caroline Lustenberger, Birgit Kleim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Publishing Group 2024-12-01
Series:Translational Psychiatry
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-024-03192-4
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author Dominique Recher
Judith Rohde
Giulia Da Poian
Mirka Henninger
Luzius Brogli
Reto Huber
Walter Karlen
Caroline Lustenberger
Birgit Kleim
author_facet Dominique Recher
Judith Rohde
Giulia Da Poian
Mirka Henninger
Luzius Brogli
Reto Huber
Walter Karlen
Caroline Lustenberger
Birgit Kleim
author_sort Dominique Recher
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Targeted Memory Reactivation (TMR) during sleep benefits memory integration and consolidation. In this pre-registered study, we investigated the effects of TMR applied during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep following modulation and updating of aversive autobiographical memories using imagery rescripting (ImR). During 2–5 nights postImR, 80 healthy participants were repeatedly presented with either idiosyncratic words from an ImR updated memory during sleep (experimental group) or with no or neutral words (control groups) using a wearable EEG device (Mobile Health Systems Lab-Sleepband, MHSL-SB) [1] implementing a close-loop cueing procedure. Multivariate analysis were conducted to assess change score trajectories in five key emotional memory characteristics (positive and negative valence, emotional distress, arousal, and vividness) across assessments (timepoints, t) and between the study groups (TMR condition). While ImR showed significant effects on all memory characteristics (d = 0.76–1.66), there were significant additional improvements in the experimental group. Memories were significantly less vivid and afflicted with less emotional distress and arousal following ImR-words cueing. TMR during sleep in individuals’ homes was feasible and further improved some ImR’s adaptive memory effects. If replicated in clinical samples, TMR may be utilized to augment the effects of ImR and other clinical memory modulation procedures and create personalized treatment options. Such advances in emotional memory treatments are direly needed, as aversive memories are a salient feature across mental disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
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spelling doaj-art-7a3ab0552ddb4aa4a8f7a878b2ffcaaf2024-12-22T12:49:27ZengNature Publishing GroupTranslational Psychiatry2158-31882024-12-0114111010.1038/s41398-024-03192-4Targeted memory reactivation during sleep improves emotional memory modulation following imagery rescriptingDominique Recher0Judith Rohde1Giulia Da Poian2Mirka Henninger3Luzius Brogli4Reto Huber5Walter Karlen6Caroline Lustenberger7Birgit Kleim8Experimental Psychopathology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of ZurichExperimental Psychopathology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of ZurichSensory-Motor System Lab, Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH ZurichPsychological Methods, Evaluation and Statistics, Department of Psychology, University of ZurichInstitute of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Computer Science and Psychology, Ulm UniversityChild Development Center, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, University of ZurichInstitute of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Computer Science and Psychology, Ulm UniversityNeuroscience Center Zurich, University of ZurichExperimental Psychopathology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of ZurichAbstract Targeted Memory Reactivation (TMR) during sleep benefits memory integration and consolidation. In this pre-registered study, we investigated the effects of TMR applied during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep following modulation and updating of aversive autobiographical memories using imagery rescripting (ImR). During 2–5 nights postImR, 80 healthy participants were repeatedly presented with either idiosyncratic words from an ImR updated memory during sleep (experimental group) or with no or neutral words (control groups) using a wearable EEG device (Mobile Health Systems Lab-Sleepband, MHSL-SB) [1] implementing a close-loop cueing procedure. Multivariate analysis were conducted to assess change score trajectories in five key emotional memory characteristics (positive and negative valence, emotional distress, arousal, and vividness) across assessments (timepoints, t) and between the study groups (TMR condition). While ImR showed significant effects on all memory characteristics (d = 0.76–1.66), there were significant additional improvements in the experimental group. Memories were significantly less vivid and afflicted with less emotional distress and arousal following ImR-words cueing. TMR during sleep in individuals’ homes was feasible and further improved some ImR’s adaptive memory effects. If replicated in clinical samples, TMR may be utilized to augment the effects of ImR and other clinical memory modulation procedures and create personalized treatment options. Such advances in emotional memory treatments are direly needed, as aversive memories are a salient feature across mental disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-024-03192-4
spellingShingle Dominique Recher
Judith Rohde
Giulia Da Poian
Mirka Henninger
Luzius Brogli
Reto Huber
Walter Karlen
Caroline Lustenberger
Birgit Kleim
Targeted memory reactivation during sleep improves emotional memory modulation following imagery rescripting
Translational Psychiatry
title Targeted memory reactivation during sleep improves emotional memory modulation following imagery rescripting
title_full Targeted memory reactivation during sleep improves emotional memory modulation following imagery rescripting
title_fullStr Targeted memory reactivation during sleep improves emotional memory modulation following imagery rescripting
title_full_unstemmed Targeted memory reactivation during sleep improves emotional memory modulation following imagery rescripting
title_short Targeted memory reactivation during sleep improves emotional memory modulation following imagery rescripting
title_sort targeted memory reactivation during sleep improves emotional memory modulation following imagery rescripting
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-024-03192-4
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