scholarly journals Durable memories and efficient neural coding through mnemonic training using the method of loci

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. eabc7606
Author(s):  
I. C. Wagner ◽  
B. N. Konrad ◽  
P. Schuster ◽  
S. Weisig ◽  
D. Repantis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neural Coding ◽  
Memory Training ◽  
Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Complex Interplay ◽  
Method Of Loci ◽  
Neural Processes ◽  
Neural Efficiency ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Advance Knowledge

Mnemonic techniques, such as the method of loci, can powerfully boost memory. We compared memory athletes ranked among the world’s top 50 in memory sports to mnemonics-naïve controls. In a second study, participants completed a 6-week memory training, working memory training, or no intervention. Behaviorally, memory training enhanced durable, longer-lasting memories. Functional magnetic resonance imaging during encoding and recognition revealed task-based activation decreases in lateral prefrontal, as well as in parahippocampal and retrosplenial cortices in both memory athletes and participants after memory training, partly associated with better performance after 4 months. This was complemented by hippocampal-neocortical coupling during consolidation, which was stronger the more durable memories participants formed. Our findings advance knowledge on how mnemonic training boosts durable memory formation through decreased task-based activation and increased consolidation thereafter. This is in line with conceptual accounts of neural efficiency and highlights a complex interplay of neural processes critical for extraordinary memory.

scholarly journals Durable memories and efficient neural coding through mnemonic training using the method of loci

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabella C. Wagner ◽  
Boris N. Konrad ◽  
Philipp Schuster ◽  
Sarah Weisig ◽  
Dimitris Repantis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Neural Coding ◽  
Memory Formation ◽  
Working Memory Training ◽  
Memory Training ◽  
Complex Interplay ◽  
Method Of Loci ◽  
Neural Processes ◽  
Neural Efficiency ◽  
Study Participants

AbstractMnemonic techniques, such as the method of loci, can powerfully boost memory. Here, we compared memory athletes ranked among the world’s top 50 in memory sports to mnemonics-naïve controls. In a second study, participants completed a six-weeks memory training, working memory training, or no intervention. Behaviorally, memory training enhanced durable, longer-lasting memories. fMRI during encoding and recognition revealed task-based activation decreases in lateral prefrontal, as well as in parahippocampal and retrosplenial cortices in both memory athletes and participants after memory training, partly associated with better performance after four months. This was complemented by hippocampal-neocortical coupling during consolidation, which was stronger the more durable memories participants formed. Our findings are the first to demonstrate that mnemonic training boosts durable memory formation via decreased task-based activation and increased consolidation thereafter. This is in line with conceptual accounts of neural efficiency and highlights a complex interplay of neural processes critical for extraordinary memory.

scholarly journals The context-dependent nature of the neural implementation of intentions

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebo Uithol ◽  
Kai Görgen ◽  
Doris Pischedda ◽  
Ivan Toni ◽  
John-Dylan Haynes
Keyword(s):  
Essential Feature ◽  
Intentional Action ◽  
Context Dependency ◽  
Voluntary Action ◽  
Fmri Data ◽  
Experimental Setup ◽  
Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Neural Representations ◽  
Neural Processes

AbstractMany studies have identified networks in parietal and prefrontal cortex that are involved in intentional action. Yet, knowledge about what these networks exactly encoded is still scarce. In this study we look into the content of those processes. We ask whether the neural representations of intentions are context- and reason-invariant, or whether these processes depend on the context we are in, and the reasons we have for choosing an action. We use a combination of functional magnetic resonance imaging and multivariate decoding to directly assess the context- and reason-dependency of the processes underlying intentional action. We were able to decode action decisions in the same context and for the same reasons from the fMRI data, in line with previous decoding studies. Furthermore, we could decode action decisions across different reasons for choosing an action. Importantly, though, decoding decisions across different contexts was at chance level. These results suggest that for voluntary action, there is considerable context-dependency in intention representations. This suggests that established invariance in neural processes may not reflect an essential feature of a certain process, but that this stable character could be dependent on invariance in the experimental setup, in line with predictions from situated cognition theory.

scholarly journals Regions and Connections: Complementary Approaches to Characterize Brain Organization and Function

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corey Horien ◽  
Abigail S. Greene ◽  
R. Todd Constable ◽  
Dustin Scheinost
Keyword(s):  
Functional Organization ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Brain Organization ◽  
Neural Processes ◽  
Relative Utility ◽  
And Function ◽  
Brain Behavior ◽  
The Brain

Functional magnetic resonance imaging has proved to be a powerful tool to characterize spatiotemporal patterns of human brain activity. Analysis methods broadly fall into two camps: those summarizing properties of a region and those measuring interactions among regions. Here we pose an unappreciated question in the field: What are the strengths and limitations of each approach to study fundamental neural processes? We explore the relative utility of region- and connection-based measures in the context of three topics of interest: neurobiological relevance, brain-behavior relationships, and individual differences in brain organization. In each section, we offer illustrative examples. We hope that this discussion offers a novel and useful framework to support efforts to better understand the macroscale functional organization of the brain and how it relates to behavior.

scholarly journals Impact of Panic on Psychophysiological and Neural Reactivity to Unpredictable Threat in Depression and Anxiety

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynne Lieberman ◽  
Stephanie M. Gorka ◽  
Stewart A. Shankman ◽  
K. Luan Phan
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Neural Processes ◽  
Core Feature ◽  
Neural Reactivity ◽  
Startle Potentiation ◽  
Threat Of Shock

Exaggerated anxious responding to unpredictable threat (U-threat) is a core feature of panic disorder (PD). However, it is unknown whether this abnormality is specific to the diagnosis of PD or would manifest along a continuum of panic symptomatology (PS). In addition, little is known about the neural processes underlying this abnormality among those high in PS. Finally, no studies have tested whether startle potentiation and limbic neural reactivity—commonly used indices of U-threat responsivity—are associated and therefore reflect common abnormalities. These questions were investigated in 42 adults with a range of PS. U-threat responding was measured twice during threat of shock—once with startle and once with functional magnetic resonance imaging. As hypothesized, PS positively predicted startle potentiation and dACC reactivity to U-threat. Startle potentiation and dACC activation to U-threat were positively associated. These results suggest a biobehavioral profile of aberrant responding to U-threat associated with PS.

scholarly journals The Cerebral Response during Subjective Choice with and without Self-reference

2005 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 1897-1906 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sterling C. Johnson ◽  
Taylor W. Schmitz ◽  
Tisha N. Kawahara-Baccus ◽  
Howard A. Rowley ◽  
Andrew L. Alexander ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Perspective Taking ◽  
Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Neural Processes ◽  
Imaging Experiment ◽  
Color Similarity ◽  
Response Alternatives ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Experiment ◽  
Self Reference

The anterior medial prefrontal (AMPFC) and retrosplenial (RSC) cortices are active during self-referential decision-making tasks such as when participants appraise traits and abilities, or current affect. Other appraisal tasks requiring an evaluative decision or mental representation, such as theory of mind and perspective-taking tasks, also involve these regions. In many instances, these types of decisions involve a subjective opinion or preference, but also a degree of ambiguity in the decision, rather than a strictly veridical response. However, this ambiguity is generally not controlled for in studies that examine self-referential decision-making. In this functional magnetic resonance imaging experiment with 17 healthy adults, we examined neural processes associated with subjective decision-making with and without an overt self-referential component. The task required subjective decisions about colors-regarding self-preference (internal subjective decision) or color similarity (external subjective decision) under conditions where there was no objectively correct response. Results indicated greater activation in the AMPFC, RSC, and caudate nucleus during internal subjective decision-making. The findings suggest that self-referential processing, rather than subjective judgments among ambiguous response alternatives, accounted for the AMPFC and RSC response.

scholarly journals Hard decisions shape the neural coding of preferences

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katharina Voigt ◽  
Carsten Murawski ◽  
Sebastian Speer ◽  
Stefan Bode
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Dissonance ◽  
Neural Coding ◽  
Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Fixation Durations ◽  
Decision Outcomes ◽  
Dorsolateral Prefrontal ◽  
Subsequent Preference ◽  
Dissonance Reduction

AbstractHard decisions between equally valued alternatives can result in preference changes, meaning that subsequent valuations for chosen items increase and decrease for rejected items. Previous research suggests that this phenomenon is a consequence of cognitive dissonance reduction after the decision, induced by the mismatch between initial preferences and decision outcomes. In contrast, this functional magnetic resonance imaging and eye-tracking study tested whether preferences are already updated online while making decisions. Preference changes could be predicted from activity in left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and precuneus during decision-making. Furthermore, fixation durations predicted both choice outcomes and subsequent preference changes. These preference adjustments became behaviourally relevant at re-evaluation, but only for choices that were remembered and were associated with hippocampus activity. Our findings refute classical explanations of post-choice dissonance reduction and instead suggest that preferences evolve dynamically as decisions arise, potentially as a mechanism to prevent stalemate situations in underdetermined decision scenarios.

scholarly journals The neural basis of shared preference learning

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 1061-1072
Author(s):  
Harry Farmer ◽  
Uri Hertz ◽  
Antonia F de C Hamilton
Keyword(s):  
Social Interactions ◽  
Computational Modelling ◽  
Neural Activation ◽  
Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Neural Basis ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Neural Processes ◽  
Specific Manner ◽  
The Brain

Abstract During our daily lives, we often learn about the similarity of the traits and preferences of others to our own and use that information during our social interactions. However, it is unclear how the brain represents similarity between the self and others. One possible mechanism is to track similarity to oneself regardless of the identity of the other (Similarity account); an alternative is to track each other person in terms of consistency of their choice similarity with respect to the choices they have made before (consistency account). Our study combined functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and computational modelling of reinforcement learning (RL) to investigate the neural processes that underlie learning about preference similarity. Participants chose which of two pieces of artwork they preferred and saw the choices of one agent who usually shared their preference and another agent who usually did not. We modelled neural activation with RL models based on the similarity and consistency accounts. Our results showed that activity in brain areas linked to reward and social cognition followed the consistency account. Our findings suggest that impressions of other people can be calculated in a person-specific manner, which assumes that each individual behaves consistently with their past choices.

scholarly journals Pubertal Testosterone Correlates with Adolescent Impatience and Dorsal Striatal Activity

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corinna Laube ◽  
Robert Lorenz ◽  
Wouter van den Bos
Keyword(s):  
Intertemporal Choice ◽  
Dorsal Striatum ◽  
Risky Behaviors ◽  
Choice Task ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Impulsive Behavior ◽  
Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Behavioral Studies ◽  
Neural Processes

AbstractRecent self-report and behavioral studies have demonstrated that pubertal testosterone is related to an increase in risky and impulsive behavior. Yet, the mechanisms underlying such a relationship are poorly understood. Findings from both human and rodent studies point towards distinct striatal pathways including the ventral and dorsal striatum as key target regions for pubertal hormones. In this study we investigated task-related impatience of boys between 10 and 15 years of age (N = 75), using an intertemporal choice task combined with measures of functional magnetic resonance imaging and hormonal assessment. Increased levels of testosterone were associated with a greater response bias towards choosing the smaller sooner option. Furthermore, our results show that testosterone specifically modulates the dorsal, not ventral, striatal pathway. These results provide novel insights into our understanding of adolescent impulsive and risky behaviors and how pubertal hormones are related to neural processes.

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