The effects of single session Competitive Memory Training (COMET) and yohimbine on the saliency of positive autobiographical memories.

A within-subjects study to test the effect of a single session COMET (vs. no intervention) and yohimbine (vs. placebo) on the retrievability and quality of positive autobiographical memories in healthy subjects

If COMET increases the saliency of positive autobiographical memories, then memories that are activated during COMET (relative to no intervention control) should show an increase over time on all primary outcome measures, irrespective of medication administration. Therefore we expect that, relative to pre-test, ease of recollection, specificity, vividness and positive affectivity VAS scores at post-test and follow-up will be higher in memories that received COMET than memories that received no intervention.



If yohimbine strengthens intervention effects, then memories that are activated during COMET after yohimbine administration should show larger immediate and long-term effects of the intervention than memories that are activated during COMET after placebo administration. So, we expect that, relative to pre-test, ease of recollection, specificity, vividness and positive affectivity VAS scores at post-test and follow-up will be higher in memories in the yohimbine+COMET condition than memories in the placebo+COMET condition.

Pre-test (prior to medication intake and intervention), post-test (immediately after medication intake and intervention), and 2-day follow-up test.

Participants select four mildly positive autobiographical memories. They receive two intervention sessions. During each session, one memory will be activated using COMET procedures and one memory will receive no intervention. During one of these sessions, yohimbine HCL (20mg) will be administrated and during the other session placebo.

In total there are four within-subjects conditions: yohimbine+COMET, yohimbine+no intervention, placebo+COMET, and placebo+no intervention.