A virtual reality study on postretrieval extinction of smoking memory reconsolidation in smokers


Por: Zandonai, T, Benvegnu, G, Tommasi, F, Ferrandi, E, Libener, E, Ferraro, S, Maris, B and Chiamulera, C

Publicada: 1 jun 2021
Resumen:
Exposure to smoking-related stimuli may induce the reconsolidation of smoking-related memories in smokers. Research has proposed that extinction applied after the retrieval of a smoking memory may inhibit reconsolidation and prevent craving. The aim of this study was to test the effect of postretrieval extinction (PRE) on the reconsolidation of smoking memory by using a virtual reality (VR) simulation in smokers. On the day 1 session, the study exposed 46 smokers to a neutral and then to a smoking VR scenario under a fixed-block protocol. On day 2, the study randomized participants into three groups (G) and exposed them to a 15-s VR immersion in smoking (G1, G3) or neutral (G2) scenario for memory retrieval. After 15 min, the study exposed G1 and G2 to a VR PRE during the temporal window of memory vulnerability, whereas the study exposed G3 to extinction immediately after retrieval. On day 3, the study exposed all groups to neutral and smoking scenarios similar to day 1. All groups significantly increased craving for cigarettes after exposure to the smoking scenario on day 1 (p < 0.01). On day 3, VR PRE after a 15-second VR smoking memory retrieval was able to inhibit reconsolidation in G1, but not in G3 exposed to PRE before the window of vulnerability, or in G2 not exposed to the smoking memory retrieval. These findings show the superiority of VR PRE after smoking memory retrieval compared to a standard extinction procedure.

Filiaciones:
:
 Miguel Hernandez Univ Elche, Dept Pharmacol Pediat & Organ Chem, Crta Nacl N-332 s-n, Alicante 03550, Spain

Benvegnu, G:
 Univ Padua, Dept Gen Psychol, Via Venezia 8, I-35131 Padua, Italy

 Univ Verona, Dept Diagnost & Publ Hlth, Pharmacol Sect, Neuropsychopharmacol Lab,Policlin GB Rossi, Ple Scuro 10, I-37134 Verona, Italy

Tommasi, F:
 Univ Verona, Dept Diagnost & Publ Hlth, Pharmacol Sect, Neuropsychopharmacol Lab,Policlin GB Rossi, Ple Scuro 10, I-37134 Verona, Italy

Ferrandi, E:
 Univ Verona, Dept Diagnost & Publ Hlth, Pharmacol Sect, Neuropsychopharmacol Lab,Policlin GB Rossi, Ple Scuro 10, I-37134 Verona, Italy

Libener, E:
 Univ Verona, Dept Diagnost & Publ Hlth, Pharmacol Sect, Neuropsychopharmacol Lab,Policlin GB Rossi, Ple Scuro 10, I-37134 Verona, Italy

Ferraro, S:
 Univ Verona, Dept Diagnost & Publ Hlth, Pharmacol Sect, Neuropsychopharmacol Lab,Policlin GB Rossi, Ple Scuro 10, I-37134 Verona, Italy

 Univ Verona, Altair Robot Lab, Dept Comp Sci, Str Grazie 15, I-37134 Verona, Italy

Maris, B:
 Univ Verona, Altair Robot Lab, Dept Comp Sci, Str Grazie 15, I-37134 Verona, Italy

Chiamulera, C:
 Univ Verona, Dept Diagnost & Publ Hlth, Pharmacol Sect, Neuropsychopharmacol Lab,Policlin GB Rossi, Ple Scuro 10, I-37134 Verona, Italy
ISSN: 07405472





JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT
Editorial
Elsevier BV, THE BOULEVARD, LANGFORD LANE, KIDLINGTON, OXFORD OX5 1GB, ENGLAND, Estados Unidos America
Tipo de documento: Article
Volumen: 125 Número:
Páginas:
WOS Id: 000651640200015
ID de PubMed: 34016302
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