Memory Reconsolidation and Intervention in Drug Addiction

Wen ZHANG; Huawei WANG; Mei ZHU

doi:10.12259/j.issn.2095-610X.S20261001

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Wen ZHANG, Huawei WANG, Mei ZHU. Memory Reconsolidation and Intervention in Drug Addiction[J]. Journal of Kunming Medical University. doi: 10.12259/j.issn.2095-610X.S20261001

Citation:

Wen ZHANG, Huawei WANG, Mei ZHU. Memory Reconsolidation and Intervention in Drug Addiction[J]. Journal of Kunming Medical University. doi: 10.12259/j.issn.2095-610X.S20261001

Wen ZHANG, Huawei WANG, Mei ZHU. Memory Reconsolidation and Intervention in Drug Addiction[J]. Journal of Kunming Medical University. doi: 10.12259/j.issn.2095-610X.S20261001

Citation:

Wen ZHANG, Huawei WANG, Mei ZHU. Memory Reconsolidation and Intervention in Drug Addiction[J]. Journal of Kunming Medical University. doi: 10.12259/j.issn.2095-610X.S20261001

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Memory Reconsolidation and Intervention in Drug Addiction

doi: 10.12259/j.issn.2095-610X.S20261001

Wen ZHANG^{1, 2},
Huawei WANG³,
Mei ZHU^{1
,
,}

1.
Department of Ultrasound，First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University，Kunming Yunnan 650032
2.
Department of Medical Oncology，Qujing Central Hospital，Qujing Yunnan 655000
3.
Department of Reproductive Genetics，First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University，Kunming Yunnan 650032，China

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Corresponding author: 朱梅，医学博士，主任医师，博士生导师，《超声医学》国家一流课程负责人。昆明医科大学第一附属医院副院长。入选云南省万人计划产业技术领军人才，云南省中青年学术与技术带头人，云南省医学领军人才，享受云南省政府特殊津贴，全国巾帼建功标兵。担任中华医学会超声分会全国委员，《中华超声影像学杂志》编委，国家超声质控中心专家，云南省新医科教育联盟临床医学实践专委会主委，全国高校附属医院临床实践教育联盟常务理事、云南省超声影像研究中心主任，云南省超声医学会副主任委员。主持国家级及省部级科研课题10余项，其中国家自然科学基金项目2项，云南省应用基础研究重点课题3项。获中国医院协会医院科技创新奖二等奖，中国研究型医院学会医学研究创新奖一等奖，云南省自然科学三等奖。
Received Date: 2026-05-22
Available Online: 2026-10-02

Abstract

Abstract

Drug-associated cues can evoke cravings and lead to relapse by reactivating persistent reward memories. Targeting memory reconsolidation is considered an important strategy for weakening these pathological memories. This article reviews the temporal boundaries, brain networks, and molecular mechanisms drug addiction memory reconsolidation, and compares the evidence for clinical translation of pharmacological, retrieval-extinction, and neuromodulatory interventions. Current research suggests that the transient state of vulnerability following memory retrieval is constrained by boundary conditions, including prediction error, retrieval duration, and memory age and strength. During this time window, the amygdala, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and nucleus accumbens form a dynamic network, while NMDAR, mTORC1, BDNF-TrkB, the ubiquitin-proteasome system, and monoaminergic neurotransmission jointly regulate destabilization and restabilization. Evidence from animal studies is relatively robust, whereas human research has focused primarily on propranolol, ketamine, and retrieval-extinction procedures. Small sample sizes, heterogeneous outcomes, and insufficient long-term follow-up limit the certainty of the evidence. This article further proposes a multilevel regulatory framework—“boundary conditions–neural circuits–molecular plasticity–intervention strategies–clinical outcomes”—to inform precision interventions for addiction-related memories and the design of clinical trials.
- Drug addiction,
- Memory reconsolidation,
- Relapse,
- Cue-induced craving,
- Intervention strategies,
- Neuroplasticity

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References(54)

References

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