Dopaminergic Neuromodulation of Congruence Dependent Memory Formation
Final Report Abstract
The overall goal of this project was to further investigate the psychological and neural mechanisms underlying context dependent memory formation across the adult lifespan. In a set of studies, we used behavioral measures, electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to show that (i) semantic congruence accelerates the onset of neural signals of successful memory formation, (ii) neural oscillations in the theta-alpha range (5–13 Hz) promote congruence dependent memory formation in young and older adults, (iii) semantic congruence drives subsequent recognition memory across the adult lifespan through changes in neural retrieval processes, (iv) functional coupling between hippocampal CA3 and laterobasal amygdala supports schema dependent memory formation, and (v) contextual incongruency triggers memory reinstatement and disrupts neural stability. As such, these findings give novel insights into how semantic congruence promotes memory formation, and they could lead to practical solutions towards more efficient education in different fields. Future studies may address the role of congruence dependent memory formation in clinical populations, such as patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. This may help to better understand interindividual differences, aiming to refine strategies or interventions for memory enhancement.
Publications
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Semantic Congruence Accelerates the Onset of the Neural Signals of Successful Memory Encoding. The Journal of Neuroscience, 37(2), 291-301.
Packard, Pau A.; Rodríguez-Fornells, Antoni; Bunzeck, Nico; Nicolás, Berta; de Diego-Balaguer, Ruth & Fuentemilla, Lluís
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Neural oscillations and event-related potentials reveal how semantic congruence drives long-term memory in both young and older humans. Scientific Reports, 10(1).
Packard, Pau A.; Steiger, Tineke K.; Fuentemilla, Lluís & Bunzeck, Nico
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Functional coupling between CA3 and laterobasal amygdala supports schema dependent memory formation. NeuroImage, 244, 118563.
Yousuf, Mushfa; Packard, Pau A.; Fuentemilla, Lluís & Bunzeck, Nico
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Semantic Congruence Drives Long-Term Memory and Similarly Affects Neural Retrieval Dynamics in Young and Older Adults. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 13.
Alejandro, Ricardo J.; Packard, Pau A.; Steiger, Tineke K.; Fuentemilla, Lluis & Bunzeck, Nico
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Contextual incongruency triggers memory reinstatement and the disruption of neural stability. NeuroImage, 273, 120114.
Wu, Xiongbo; Packard, Pau A.; García-Arch, Josué; Bunzeck, Nico & Fuentemilla, Lluís
