Pre-exposure and retrieval effects on generalization of contextual fear

Abstract

The degree of generalization from a fearful context to other contexts is determined by precision of the original fear memory. Experiences before and after fear learning affect memory precision. Pre-exposure to a similar context before context conditioning results in increased generalization to the similar context. In contrast, exposure to the conditioning context after fear learning reduces fear generalization. In the current study we aimed to investigate whether the events before and after fear learning interact. We hypothesized that pre-exposure-induced enhanced generalization could be reduced by a return to the conditioning context. We found that, in contrast to previous findings, pre-exposure did not affect generalization. However, a reminder of the conditioning context reduced generalization to both a similar and a different context. The results stress the dynamic nature of emotional memory.