scholarly journals Selectively Interfering With Intrusive but Not Voluntary Memories of a Trauma Film: Accounting for the Role of Associative Memory

2021 ◽  
pp. 216770262199831
Author(s):  
Alex Lau-Zhu ◽  
Richard N. Henson ◽  
Emily A. Holmes
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Disorders ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Emotional Memory ◽  
Control Procedure ◽  
Witness Testimony ◽  
Intrusive Memories ◽  
Therapeutic Benefits ◽  
Selective Interference ◽  
Intrusive Memory

Intrusive memories of a traumatic event can be reduced by a subsequent interference procedure, seemingly sparing voluntary memory for that event. This selective-interference effect has potential therapeutic benefits (e.g., for emotional disorders) and legal importance (e.g., for witness testimony). However, the measurements of intrusive memory and voluntary memory typically differ in the role of associations between a cue and the emotional memory “hotspots.” To test this, we asked participants to watch a traumatic film followed by either an interference procedure (reminder plus Tetris) or control procedure (reminder only). Measurement of intrusions (using a laboratory task) and voluntary memory (recognition for film stills) were crossed with the presence or absence of associative cues. The reminder-plus-Tetris group exhibited fewer intrusions despite comparable recognition memory, replicating the results of prior studies. Note that this selective interference did not appear to depend on associative cues. This involuntary versus voluntary memory dissociation for emotional material further supports separate-trace memory theories and has applied advantages.

Sleep Early After Trauma

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Yasmine Azza ◽  
Ines Wilhelm ◽  
Birgit Kleim
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Early Time ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Intrusive Memories ◽  
Emotional Memories ◽  
Intervention Science ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Early Memory ◽  
Exposure To Trauma

Abstract. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by intrusive re-experiencing of emotional memories of a traumatic event. Such memories are formed after exposure to trauma in the context of a cascading stress response including high levels of emotional arousal and stress hormone release. Sleep could be a key modulator of early memory formation and re-consolidation processes. Initial studies have investigated this association in this early time period, that is, hours and days after trauma exposure, and its role in modulating trauma memories and PTSD. The time is thus ripe to integrate findings from these studies. The current review consolidated evidence from five experimental and seven naturalistic studies on the association between trauma, sleep, and the development of intrusive emotional memories and PTSD, respectively. Together, the studies point to a potential protective role of sleep after trauma for the development of intrusive memories and PTSD. Findings regarding key sleep architecture features are more mixed and require additional investigation. The findings are important for prevention and intervention science.

scholarly journals Do Cognitive Tasks Reduce Intrusive-Memory Frequency After Exposure to Analogue Trauma? An Experimental Replication

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 569-583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amalia Badawi ◽  
David Berle ◽  
Kris Rogers ◽  
Zachary Steel
Keyword(s):  
Memory Consolidation ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Cognitive Tasks ◽  
Visuospatial Task ◽  
Intrusive Memories ◽  
Independent Replication ◽  
Intrusive Memory ◽  
Analogue Trauma ◽  
And Control

Cognitive task interventions that interfere with visuospatial working memory during the memory consolidation window hold promise for reducing intrusive memories in trauma-exposed people. Our study provides an independent replication study to test and verify findings that have primarily originated from a single research group. We hypothesized that participants engaging in a visuospatial task (cognitive task intervention including Tetris or D-Corsi) following a trauma-film paradigm (TFP) would report fewer intrusive memories over the course of a week compared with control participants. Participants ( N = 110) were randomly assigned to an experimental condition after viewing the TFP. Generalized linear mixed models indicated that the cognitive task including Tetris was associated with fewer intrusions for the TFP compared with both the D-Corsi-intervention and control conditions. Our findings are congruent with existing literature indicating that cognitive tasks, such as an intervention including Tetris, may promote effective memory consolidation after exposure to a potentially traumatic event.

scholarly journals Adaptive Top–Down Suppression of Hippocampal Activity and the Purging of Intrusive Memories from Consciousness

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roland G. Benoit ◽  
Justin C. Hulbert ◽  
Ean Huddleston ◽  
Michael C. Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Effective Connectivity ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Inhibitory Influence ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Intrusive Memories ◽  
Retrieval Processes ◽  
Hippocampal Activity ◽  
Dorsolateral Prefrontal ◽  
Intrusive Memory

When reminded of unwanted memories, people often attempt to suppress these experiences from awareness. Prior work indicates that control processes mediated by the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) modulate hippocampal activity during such retrieval suppression. It remains unknown whether this modulation plays a role in purging an intrusive memory from consciousness. Here, we combined fMRI and effective connectivity analyses with phenomenological reports to scrutinize a role for adaptive top–down suppression of hippocampal retrieval processes in terminating mnemonic awareness of intrusive memories. Participants either suppressed or recalled memories of pictures depicting faces or places. After each trial, they reported their success at regulating awareness of the memory. DLPFC activation was greatest when unwanted memories intruded into consciousness and needed to be purged, and this increased engagement predicted superior control of intrusive memories over time. However, hippocampal activity was decreased during the suppression of place memories only. Importantly, the inhibitory influence of the DLPFC on the hippocampus was linked to the ensuing reduction in intrusions of the suppressed memories. Individuals who exhibited negative top–down coupling during early suppression attempts experienced fewer involuntary memory intrusions later on. Over repeated suppressions, the DLPFC–hippocampus connectivity grew less negative with the degree that they no longer had to purge unwanted memories from awareness. These findings support a role of DLPFC in countermanding the unfolding recollection of an unwanted memory via the suppression of hippocampal processing, a mechanism that may contribute to adaptation in the aftermath of traumatic experiences.

scholarly journals Depression among health care students in the time of COVID-19: the mediating role of resilience in the hopelessness–depression relationship

2021 ◽  
pp. 008124632199445
Author(s):  
Tammy-lee Pretorius
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
National Level ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Health Care Students ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
First Case ◽  
Hopelessness Depression ◽  
The World

COVID-19 spread rapidly across the world, and by March 2020, the first case of COVID-19 was identified in South Africa. Lockdown-related measures such as restricted movement and isolation were implemented to contain the virus. Combined with these measures, factors such as economic decline, job losses, and food shortages can cause numerous mental health sequelae such as depression. Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness as well as cases of suicide have been reported around the world due to the pandemic and the associated feelings of anxiety and depression. The aims of this study were to investigate levels of hopelessness and depression in a sample of health care students. A random sample of students ( N = 174) enrolled in a health sciences programme at the University of the Western Cape completed the Beck Hopelessness Scale, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and a three-item Resilience Scale. The results revealed high levels of hopelessness and depression compared to previously reported normative data for these scales. In addition, the indirect effects of hopelessness on depression were significant, demonstrating the mediating role of resilience in the hopelessness–depression relationship. These results highlight a call for universities to take proactive measures in providing students with free and easily accessible resources to help them cope and manage stress during a traumatic event. More importantly, at a national level, preventive measures should be implemented to strengthen resilience in young adults.

scholarly journals A simple cognitive task intervention to prevent intrusive memories after trauma in patients in the Emergency Department: A randomized controlled trial terminated due to COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Kanstrup ◽  
Laura Singh ◽  
Katarina E. Göransson ◽  
Beau Gamble ◽  
Rod S. Taylor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Computer Game ◽  
Similar Time ◽  
Intrusive Memories ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Simple Cognitive Task

Abstract Objective This randomised controlled trial (RCT) aimed to investigate the effects of a simple cognitive task intervention on intrusive memories ("flashbacks") and associated symptoms following a traumatic event. Patients presenting to a Swedish emergency department (ED) soon after a traumatic event were randomly allocated (1:1) to the simple cognitive task intervention (memory cue + mental rotation instructions + computer game "Tetris" for at least 20 min) or control (podcast, similar time). We planned follow-ups at one-week, 1-month, and where possible, 3- and 6-months post-trauma. Anticipated enrolment was N = 148. Results The RCT was terminated prematurely after recruiting N = 16 participants. The COVID-19 pandemic prevented recruitment/testing in the ED because: (i) the study required face-to-face contact between participants, psychology researchers, ED staff, and patients, incurring risk of virus transmission; (ii) the host ED site received COVID-19 patients; and (iii) reduced flow of patients otherwise presenting to the ED in non-pandemic conditions (e.g. after trauma). We report on delivery of study procedures, recruitment, treatment adherence, outcome completion (primary outcome: number of intrusive memories during week 5), attrition, and limitations. The information presented and limitations may enable our group and others to learn from this terminated study. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04185155 (04-12-2019)

scholarly journals Cognitive behaviour therapy meets psychopharmacotherapy

2010 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 117-131
Author(s):  
David Veale ◽  
Anna Stout
Keyword(s):  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Emotional Disorders ◽  
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy ◽  
Behaviour Therapy ◽  
Cognitive Behaviour ◽  
Underlying Disorder

AbstractThis article provides an overview of the role of psychopharmacotherapy in common emotional disorders for cognitive behaviour therapists. We consider some of the philosophical difference between CBT and medication, when medication might interfere with CBT, when it may enhance outcome and when it might be safely discontinued. We highlight how to differentiate side-effects and symptoms of discontinuation of antidepressants from that of the underlying disorder. The scope of this article is confined to common emotional disorders and does not discuss the interaction of CBT with medication in, e.g. schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or dementia.

scholarly journals Creatine in Health and Disease

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 447
Author(s):  
Richard B. Kreider ◽  
Jeffery R. Stout
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Creatine Supplementation ◽  
Cellular Metabolism ◽  
Medical Evidence ◽  
Therapeutic Benefits ◽  
Nutritional Strategy ◽  
Severity Of Injury ◽  
Health And Disease

Although creatine has been mostly studied as an ergogenic aid for exercise, training, and sport, several health and potential therapeutic benefits have been reported. This is because creatine plays a critical role in cellular metabolism, particularly during metabolically stressed states, and limitations in the ability to transport and/or store creatine can impair metabolism. Moreover, increasing availability of creatine in tissue may enhance cellular metabolism and thereby lessen the severity of injury and/or disease conditions, particularly when oxygen availability is compromised. This systematic review assesses the peer-reviewed scientific and medical evidence related to creatine’s role in promoting general health as we age and how creatine supplementation has been used as a nutritional strategy to help individuals recover from injury and/or manage chronic disease. Additionally, it provides reasonable conclusions about the role of creatine on health and disease based on current scientific evidence. Based on this analysis, it can be concluded that creatine supplementation has several health and therapeutic benefits throughout the lifespan.

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