Relationship between fear conditionability and aversive memories: evidence from a novel conditioned-intrusion paradigm.

ABSTRACT: Intrusive memories--a hallmark symptom of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)--are often triggered by stimuli possessing similarity with cues that predicted or accompanied the traumatic event. According to learning theories, intrusive memories can be seen as a conditioned response to trauma reminders. However, direct laboratory evidence for the link between fear conditionability and intrusive memories is missing. Furthermore, fear conditioning studies have predominantly relied on standardized aversive stimuli (e.g. electric stimulation) that bear little resemblance to typical traumatic events. To investigate the general relationship between fear conditionability and aversive memories, we tested 66 mentally healthy females in a novel conditioned-intrusion paradigm designed to model real-li

SUBMITTER: Wegerer M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3828300 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature