Stas Kozak

Ph.D. Student

Indirect attenuation of intrusive memories through virtual reality memory reactivation

Project description

Negative visual intrusive memories are a predominant symptom of mental conditions

such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and fear disorders. This has inspired

research geared towards memory modulation by direct targeting of the negative emotional

memory. However, direct modulation of emotional memories can cause substantial distress and

often does not attenuate intrusive memories. Given these challenges I propose to modulate

intrusive memories indirectly. To this end, I demonstrated indirect modulation of neutral visual

memories using behavioral instructions to intentionally remember or forget verbal information, in order to indirectly target an embedded visual memory. Using this paradigm, I found that direct modulation of verbal memory indirectly and inversely modulates neutral visual memory,

suggestive of a competition between these two memory types. In the current study I will harness virtual reality (VR) technology to induce intrusive memories in a controlled highly realistic environment and explore whether intrusive memory depends on contextual memory encoding. Importantly, I will strengthen contextual memory through memory reactivation to indirectly attenuate visual intrusive memories. This study will expand our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of learning and maladaptive memory formation during a traumatic event. Importantly, this research advances our pursuit for a novel approach to downregulate intrusive memories, potentially opening a new avenue for treating psychopathologies such as PTSD.

About me

Stas Kozak received his BS in Biology and Psychology, and MSc in Clinical Neuroscience from Tel Aviv University. He currently pursues his doctorate in Psychology at Tel Aviv University under the supervision of Prof. Nitzan Censor. His research aims to discover novel methods for effective downregulation of negative and traumatic memories. Stas has developed a new paradigm to indirectly modulate human visual memory, and he currently investigates the application of this technique for long term negative memories using neuromodulation and virtual reality technologies. This research aims to shed light on mechanisms of learning and memory under adversity; and through this work Stas, ultimately hopes to positively impact treatment strategies for psychopathologies such as PTSD and anxiety. In conjunction with his academic pursuits, Stas has devoted his time as a university teaching assistant and as a mentor of high school students who dropped out of conventional learning programs. He strives to apply the lessons learned through these experiences towards the development of the science of learning.