The Dynamics of Representational Change Underlying Recall

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to understand how repeated memory recall changes visual brain activity in healthy adults. It focuses on whether recalling memories multiple times strengthens or alters visual representations in the brain compared to a control condition where recall is less frequent. The study particularly examines differences in brain activity for simple spatial patterns versus complex natural images. Researchers from Brown University designed this study to explore how memory recall affects neural patterns in the visual cortex using advanced imaging methods. Participants will take part in two fMRI sessions including a localizer session to map brain areas involved in vision and an experimental session where they study and recall visual stimuli. They will see cues paired with either simple spatial patterns or natural images and will recall these stimuli under two conditions repeated retrieval five recalls per stimulus and control retrieval two recalls per stimulus spaced to match the timing of the repeated condition. Brain activity will be measured during these tasks to compare changes caused by repeated recall versus time alone. During the study, participants will undergo detailed brain scans including anatomical imaging and tasks to map visual brain regions. They will complete memory encoding and recall tasks while brain activity is recorded with fMRI. Researchers will analyze these brain images to see how repeated recall influences the structure and tuning of visual representations. The main outcome measured is changes in visual cortex activity related to memory recall. The entire study involves two fMRI sessions and assessments of brain responses to understand memory-related changes.

The Dynamics of Representational Change Underlying Recall