Leveraging Reconsolidation-Updating to Change the Feelings of Memories

Retrieving memories of emotional events can result in (re)experiencing subjective feelings. Importantly, the feelings elicited by memories can influence current emotional states. For example, recalling positive events can both reduce current negative affect and diminish acute physiological stress responses. Similarly, recalling negative events can lead to current negative feelings and moods. The feelings of memories have also been linked to subjective clinical symptoms. The frequency of reported negative intrusive memories is related to both the severity of clinical symptoms in a treatment-seeking population and the likelihood of reporting clinical symptoms in a typical undergraduate population. Because of the impact of the feelings elicited by memories on current emotional health and well-being, understanding how the feelings of memories might change over time has to potential to suggest novel treatment innovations. The proposed research investigates techniques intended to alter the feelings associated with memories. Specifically, we take advantage of reactivation induced memory change (RIMC) to determine factors that may reduce or enhance the negative feelings elicited by memories. To explore how RIMC can modify the feelings of memories, the proposed studies examine three kinds of memories and two techniques to alter subjective feelings. There are three specific aims: Aim 1 examines whether RIMC interventions can be used to diminish the negative feelings elicited by memories for negative events. Aim 2 examines how RIMC mechanisms may enhance the negative feelings elicited by memories for negative events. Aim 3 examines if RIMC techniques can infuse negative feelings into previously neutral memories. In addition to examining the feelings elicited by memories, we will also examine the impact of these interventions on changes in physiological stress reactions and the pattern of blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signals when retrieving these memories. It is hypothesized interventions following the reactivation of a previous acquired memory will change the later expression of subjective feelings elicited by that memory more than interventions without reactivation. It is further hypothesized that the reactivation of a previously acquired negative memory without any intervention will result in strengthening the memory and enhancing negative feelings. We expect these changes will also be reflected in physiological stress reactions and BOLD response patterns during retrieval. Project Number: 1R01MH141963-01 | Fiscal Year: 2026 | NIH Institute/Center: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) | Principal Investigator: Elizabeth Phelps | Institution: HARVARD UNIVERSITY, CAMBRIDGE, MA | Award Amount: $784,177 | Activity Code: R01 | Study Section: Human Complex Mental Function Study Section[HCMF] View on NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11246439