Take a look at Memory: Investigating the Interplay Between Eye Movements and Neural Oscillations in Episodic Memory Formation

• Applicant: Dr. Xiongbo Wu
• Subject Area: Biological Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 553351953

In human episodic memory research, two strong predictors of memory performance have been identified. One predictor is neural oscillations: previous studies have consistently reported that materials later remembered exhibit a reduction in low-frequency neural activity (e.g., in the alpha/beta range, approximately 10 – 20 Hz) during encoding compared to later forgotten materials, a phenomenon termed as the alpha/beta subsequent memory effect (SME). A second predictor is eye movements, where higher numbers of eye movements conducted during encoding of materials have been consistently found to lead to better memory performance at test. These two memory correlates have primarily been investigated in isolation. Recent studies showed, however, that eye movements are closely associated with the modulation of low-frequency neural oscillations. This raises the necessity to consider that these two memory correlates during encoding might also covary and jointly impact episodic memory formation. Building on the findings and approach of my preliminary work, the current project will employ simultaneous electroencephalography recording and eye tracking to investigate the potential direct link between eye movements and the alpha/beta SME. The project aims to: (i) reassess the alpha/beta SME while taking eye movements into account to elucidate their association during memory encoding and impact on memory performance, and (ii) leverage the approach established by my preliminary work to interfere with eye movement in order to test its potential driving role in the alpha/beta SME. Together, this project attempts to bridge two lines of previous research, advocating for a new perspective on the alpha/beta SME, highlighting the relevance of considering the joint impact of viewing behaviour and brain activity on memory.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants