title: Autobiographical Memory Disturbances in Depression: A Novel Therapeutic Target?
abstract: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is characterized by a dysfunctional processing of autobiographical memories. We review the following core domains of deficit: systematic biases favoring materials of negative emotional valence; diminished access and response to positive memories; a recollection of overgeneral memories in detriment of specific autobiographical memories; and the role of ruminative processes and avoidance when dealing with autobiographical memories. Furthermore, we review evidence from functional neuroimaging studies of neural circuits activated by the recollection of autobiographical memories in both healthy and depressive individuals. Disruptions in autobiographical memories predispose and portend onset and maintenance of depression. Thus, we discuss emerging therapeutics that target memory difficulties in those with depression. We review strategies for this clinical domain, including memory specificity training, method-of-loci, memory rescripting, and real-time fMRI neurofeedback training of amygdala activity in depression. We propose that the manipulation of the reconsolidation of autobiographical memories in depression might represent a novel yet largely unexplored, domain-specific, therapeutic opportunity for depression treatment.
authors.affiliation: Memory Research Laboratory, Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), 59056-450 Natal, RN, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cristiano A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Köhler
authors.affiliation: Translational Psychiatry Research Group and Department of Clinical Medicine, Federal University of Ceara, 60430-140 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
authors.forename: André F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.affiliation: Translational Psychiatry Research Group and Department of Clinical Medicine, Federal University of Ceara, 60430-140 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gilberto S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.affiliation: Departments of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada M5T 2S8 ; Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada M5T 2S8.
authors.forename: Roger S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: McIntyre
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Thomas N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Hyphantis
authors.affiliation: Memory Research Laboratory, Brain Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), 59056-450 Natal, RN, Brazil.
authors.forename: Martín
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cammarota
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D061212:Memory, Episodic
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents