title: Computer Game Play Reduces Intrusive Memories of Experimental Trauma via Reconsolidation-Update Mechanisms.
abstract: Memory of a traumatic event becomes consolidated within hours. Intrusive memories can then flash back repeatedly into the mind's eye and cause distress. We investigated whether reconsolidation-the process during which memories become malleable when recalled-can be blocked using a cognitive task and whether such an approach can reduce these unbidden intrusions. We predicted that reconsolidation of a reactivated visual memory of experimental trauma could be disrupted by engaging in a visuospatial task that would compete for visual working memory resources. We showed that intrusive memories were virtually abolished by playing the computer game Tetris following a memory-reactivation task 24 hr after initial exposure to experimental trauma. Furthermore, both memory reactivation and playing Tetris were required to reduce subsequent intrusions (Experiment 2), consistent with reconsolidation-update mechanisms. A simple, noninvasive cognitive-task procedure administered after emotional memory has already consolidated (i.e., > 24 hours after exposure to experimental trauma) may prevent the recurrence of intrusive memories of those emotional events.
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge, United Kingdom Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford.
authors.forename: Ella L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: James
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University of Oxford St Peter's College, University of Oxford.
authors.forename: Michael B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Bonsall
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hoppitt
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford.
authors.forename: Elizabeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Tunbridge
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford.
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Geddes
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge.
authors.forename: Amy L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Milton
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge, United Kingdom Department for Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet emily.holmes@mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Emily A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Holmes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D061212:Memory, Episodic; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D057566:Self Report; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D018910:Video Games; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: computer game; emotion; intrusions; intrusive memory; involuntary memory; mental imagery; open data; open materials; reconsolidation; trauma film