Source Paper
Memory for Extinction of Conditioned Fear Is Long-lasting and Persists Following Spontaneous Recovery
Learning & Memory • 2002
Re-extinction Savings Test
Objective: To measure savings in re-extinction rate as an indicator of persistence of extinction memory following spontaneous recovery of conditioned fear
This is a Re-extinction Savings Test protocol using rat as the model organism. The procedure involves 5 procedural steps, 1 equipment items. Extracted from a 2002 paper published in Learning & Memory.
Model and subjects
rat • Not specified • unknown • Not specified • Not specified
Study window
~2 week study window
Core workflow
Auditory Fear Conditioning • Delay Period • Extinction Training
Primary readouts
- Conditioned freezing response to tone
- Spontaneous recovery of freezing over time (0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 10, or 14 days)
- Rate of re-extinction (savings measure)
- Persistence of extinction memory
Key equipment and reagents
Verified items
0
Direct vendor links
0
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Protocol Steps
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Auditory Fear Conditioning
Rats received 7 trials of auditory fear conditioning with tone paired with footshock
Note: Initial conditioning phase
View evidence from paper
“we gave rats 7 trials of auditory fear conditioning followed 1 h later by 20 extinction trials”
Delay Period
Wait 1 hour after conditioning before beginning extinction trials
Note: Interval between conditioning and extinction
View evidence from paper
“we gave rats 7 trials of auditory fear conditioning followed 1 h later by 20 extinction trials”
Extinction Training
Rats received 20 extinction trials with tone presented in absence of footshock
Note: Extinction involves presentation of conditioned stimulus without unconditioned stimulus
View evidence from paper
“20 extinction trials, and tested for spontaneous recovery after a delay of 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 10, or 14 d”
Spontaneous Recovery Testing
Test for spontaneous recovery of conditioned freezing at multiple time points after extinction training
Note: Testing occurred at delays of 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 10, or 14 days after extinction
View evidence from paper
“tested for spontaneous recovery after a delay of 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 10, or 14 d”
Re-extinction Savings Test
Measure rate of re-extinction to assess persistence of extinction memory despite spontaneous recovery
Note: Rats showed savings in their rate of re-extinction, indicating extinction memory persisted
View evidence from paper
“Despite complete recovery of freezing, rats showed savings in their rate of re-extinction, indicating persistence of extinction memory”