Modification of Episodic Memories during Memory Reconsolidation: A Replication Study

After reactivation, memories can become unstable and sensitive to modifications before they are restored into long-term memory, which is called reconsolidation. Using behavioral manipulations, reactivated memories can be disrupted via the mechanism of interference (i.e., novel learning). Using these manipulations, Wichert et al. (2013a) showed that new learning after reactivation negatively affected episodic memory, while new learning alone or reactivation alone did not. We aimed to replicate this study and analyzed the data using Bayesian hypothesis testing, which allows for quantifying the evidence in favor of the alternative hypothesis and the null hypothesis. We were able to largely replicate Wichert et al., but did not find the crucial difference between new learning following reactivation and new learning alone.