Erasing Drug Memories Through the Disruption of Memory Reconsolidation: A Review of Glutamatergic Mechanisms

Abstract

Over the past decade, a growing body of research has sought to investigate how the pharmacological disruption of memory reconsolidation can degrade or erase memories. Much of this research has focused specifically on disrupting memories that are considered bad or maladaptive for the ultimate purpose of translation to a human population. While most of the research was pioneered in fear memory, recent studies have focused on degrading drug‐cued memories in the context of addiction. Essentially, this research seeks to disrupt cues as predictors of reward or drug availability. A core component of this reconsolidation process is glutamate signaling. An overall review of the literature suggests that disruption of glutamate signaling under reconsolidation parameters is sufficient to erase drug‐related memories. This review will focus on specific studies that examine the glutamatergic mechanisms of reconsolidation disruption in the context of drug addiction.