In daily life, content items are typically encoded together with visual contextual scenes, which are then both embedded into the memory trace 8, 9. Given the existing challenges associated with direct modulation of memories, we tested whether episodic visual memory could be modulated indirectly. Pharmacological and non-invasive neuromodulation techniques typically lack specificity and are not always suitable for humans 3, 5, whereas behavioral approaches typically result in small effects on memory 6 and can sometimes enhance memory strength instead of reducing it 7. Although considerable progress has been made, reliable modulation of episodic memory in humans still remains elusive 4. As part of this endeavor, pharmacological, behavioral, and non-invasive approaches have been utilized to directly influence targeted memories 2, 3. These findings may open new avenues to indirectly modulate maladaptive memories.ĭysfunctional memories in psychopathology such as posttraumatic stress disorder and depression encouraged research on memory modulation 1. Together with a negative correlation between word and picture memory strength, the results suggest a competition for shared resources between memory for content and context. Better memory for words resulted in reduced picture memory strength and vice versa, with the instruction to remember the words reducing picture memory strength.
Importantly, the instruction regarding the words, indirectly modulated picture memory strength. As expected, the instruction to either remember or forget the words differentially influenced word memory strength. Participants were instructed to either remember or forget the first list of words.
Accordingly, participants were presented with two lists of words, where each word was preceded and followed by pictures. We used a multi-domain approach, and applied the instructions to embedded verbal information presented during encoding (words), with the intention to indirectly modulate recognition of the target visual context memory itself (pictures). Given limitations of direct memory modulation, we asked the following: can the target memories be modulated indirectly? To address this question, we uniquely targeted visual memories, and leveraged a paradigm utilizing instructions to either forget or remember newly encoded memories. Conditions in which memories become maladaptive have inspired extensive research geared to modulate memory by targeting it directly and explicitly.