A high working memory load prior to memory retrieval reduces craving in non-treatment seeking problem drinkers

Anne Marije Kaag, Anna E Goudriaan, Taco J De Vries, Tommy Pattij, Reinout W Wiers, Anne Marije Kaag, Anna E Goudriaan, Taco J De Vries, Tommy Pattij, Reinout W Wiers

Abstract

Background: Reconsolidation-based interventions have been suggested to be a promising treatment strategy for substance use disorders. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a working memory intervention to interfere with the reconsolidation of alcohol-related memories in a sample of non-treatment seeking heavy drinkers.

Methods: Participants were randomized to one of the two conditions that underwent a 3-day intervention: in the experimental condition, a 30-min working memory training was performed immediately after a 15-min memory retrieval session (i.e., within the memory reconsolidation time-window), whereas in the control condition, the working memory training was performed prior to a memory retrieval session.

Results: In contrast to our original hypothesis, a high working memory load after memory retrieval did not interfere with the reconsolidation of those memories while a high working memory load prior to memory retrieval (the original control condition) strongly reduced retrieval-induced craving and craving for alcohol at follow-up.

Conclusion: Whereas the neurocognitive mechanism behind this effect needs to be further investigated, the current findings suggest that, if replicated, working memory training prior to addiction-related memory retrieval has the potential to become an effective (adjunctive) intervention in the treatment of substance use disorders.

Keywords: Alcohol; Craving; Memory reconsolidation; Skin conductance; Working memory.

Conflict of interest statement

There are no potential conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The experimental design. Participants were randomized to the experimental condition (MR-WM) or the control condition (MR-WM). In the experimental condition, they first did a memory retrieval session that was followed by a working memory task, whereas in the control condition, they first performed a working memory task that was followed by a memory retrieval session
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The memory retrieval session was fully computer-assisted and consisted of the baseline assessment of craving, the presentation of four alcohol pictures, the reading of two personalized scenarios of alcohol-related memories, and the handing of alcohol (holding, pouring, smelling). In sessions 1 and 5, the last instruction was to take a sip of the alcohol, whereas this instruction was not given in sessions 2, 3, and 4 to induce a prediction error
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
The complex chessboard task. The visuospatial working memory task consisted of 19 blocks of one rectangle trial and three chessboard trials. The task took approximately 30 min and task level was individually adjusted
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
There was a retrieval by time by condition interaction effect only for DAQ-desire. Only participants performing a WM task prior to memory retrieval displayed a significant reduction in retrieval-induced desire for alcohol
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
There was a significant retrieval by session by condition quadratic interaction effect for skin conductance levels. Only for participants in the memory retrieval–WM condition skin conductance levels during retrieval significantly interacted with session
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
In both groups, there was a significant reduction in desire for alcohol at 1-week follow-up, but this effect did not last until 4 weeks of follow-up. However, there was a significant time by condition interaction effect for DAQ-control and DAQ-negative reinforcement, as only participants in the WM-memory retrieval condition displayed a reported a significant reduction in craving related to negative reinforcement and loss of control at 1-month after the intervention. No significant reductions in alcohol intake were reported

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