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Brain state affects memory recall

New research from UC Davis found that high theta waves before recalling a memory are associated with better performance, contradicting the assumption that the brain waits for external stimuli. The study suggests that most of the brain is busy with internal activity unrelated to the outside world.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 13, 2011

Drug may help overwrite bad memories

Researchers found that metyrapone, a stress hormone-reducing drug, impaired memory recall for negative events in men, but not neutral ones. The study offers hope for future clinical treatments of post-traumatic stress disorder by allowing people to 'write-over' traumatic memories during therapy.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateMay 27, 2011

Drug may help overwrite bad memories

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that metyrapone, a stress hormone-reducing drug, can impair memory recall of negative events by manipulating cortisol levels close to formation. This could lead to a better understanding of how to treat post-traumatic stress disorder

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateMay 25, 2011

Monkeys, too, can recollect what they've seen

Rhesus monkeys demonstrated flexible recall of simple shapes from memory, similar to humans, and showed ability to transfer memory skill to novel shapes. This finding suggests that the ability to recollect may have been present in our common ancestor 30 million years ago.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateApr 28, 2011

When the pressure is on, product experts can get facts wrong: UBC study

A recent UBC study reveals that experts with specific product knowledge can make mistakes when relying on their memories to compare products. The researchers found that a feeling of accountability and pressure to give the best recommendations can lead to false recalls, especially in complex goods such as cameras, cars, and computers.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateApr 12, 2011

New study proves the brain has 3 layers of working memory

Researchers at Rice University and Georgia Tech found evidence for three distinct layers of working memory, including a core focusing on one active item and surrounding areas holding multiple items. Predictability can improve multitasking by automizing certain tasks, allowing individuals to effectively switch between tasks.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of Cognitive Psychology·DateMar 9, 2011

'False memory' investigator Dr. Elizabeth Loftus receives the 2010 AAAS Scientific Freedom and Responsibility Award

Dr. Loftus's research has had a profound impact on the administration of justice in the US and abroad, highlighting the fragility and malleability of human memories. Her work has led to the dismissal of murder charges based on repressed memories, contributing to her being recognized as a pioneer in the field.

Memory problems may be sign of stroke risk

A recent study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that individuals with memory problems are at a higher risk for stroke. The research used two simple tests to evaluate brain function and found that those who scored in the bottom 20% were 3-9 times more likely to experience a stroke, depending on age.

SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateFeb 9, 2011

Where unconscious memories form

A study published in Neuron found that the perirhinal cortex plays a crucial role in forming unconscious conceptual memories. Researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans to map brain activity while participants performed memory tests, revealing that damage to this area impairs memory formation.

Clarity in short-term memory shows no link with IQ

Researchers at the University of Oregon found that a person's ability to store more items in their short-term memory is linked to higher fluid intelligence as measured by IQ tests. In contrast, the clarity or resolution of those memories shows no relationship with fluid intelligence.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalPsychonomic Bulletin & Review·DateNov 29, 2010

New research from Psychological Science

Studies reveal that our brains tend to remember birthdays closer to our own, while facial processing may prioritize change detection. Additionally, research finds that state borders can influence risk perception and lead people to categorize locations differently. These findings have important implications for policy and decision-making.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateNov 2, 2010

Memory links to 40 winks

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis found that sleep strengthens weak associations in the brain, improving prospective memory and recall of future intentions. The study showed that a good night's sleep helps individuals carry out their plans more effectively by enhancing the link between context and intention.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalPsychological Science·DateJun 30, 2010

Can you make a snail forget?

Researchers found that predator scent enhanced the ability of pond snails to form memory following training, while overcrowding and reduced calcium had a blocking effect. The scientists believe that the ability to remember unfamiliar environments, new predators and food sources is vital to the survival of the pond snail in the wild.

Snails on methamphetamine

Researchers discovered that methamphetamine enhances memory in pond snails, allowing them to recall learned behaviors despite being immersed in de-oxygenated water. This finding may provide insights into the mechanisms of human addiction and how memories are formed.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateMay 27, 2010

To remember the good times, reach for the sky

A study found that motor actions can determine people's emotional memories, with participants remembering more positive life experiences when moving marbles upward and more negative experiences when moving them downward. This suggests that spatial metaphors for emotion are not just in language but also in mental processes.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalCognition·DateMar 31, 2010

Timing is (almost) everything

Researchers at the University of Washington found that memory for visual scenes is not determined by attention level or scene content, but rather by when the scene is presented. This suggests a brain mechanism that automatically encodes certain visual features into memory at behaviorally relevant points in time.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMar 15, 2010

Do recreational drugs make us fail to remember?

A new study suggests that recreational drugs like ecstasy and cocaine can affect users' memory functions, including prospective memory. The researchers found that ecstasy/polydrug users showed memory deficits in both lab-based and self-reported measurements of their prospective memory.

SourceSAGE Publications UK·JournalJournal of Psychopharmacology·DateFeb 23, 2010

Brain scans track hoop fans' happy memories

Researchers at Duke University used brain scans to study the emotional impact of sports on memory. The study found that fans remember successful shots by their own team better than misses or opposing team successes. Positive emotion improves memory and activates multiple brain areas, including the amygdala and hippocampus.

Relationship recall: Attachment style may affect memories of relationship events

Research from Psychological Science found that attachment styles can affect how individuals remember relationship events, with anxious and avoidant individuals recalling experiences based on their needs and goals. The study's results suggest that attachment styles influence how we interpret memories of interactions with our partners.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJan 27, 2010

Don't I know you? University of Toronto research sheds light on memorial retrieval

Researchers from the University of Toronto have discovered that the hippocampus is only activated when context cues enable memory recall. This finding sheds light on the mysterious process of retrieving memories, particularly in individuals with damage to the hippocampus, such as those with Alzheimer's or Epilepsy.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 7, 2009

Early scents really do get 'etched' in the brain

A brain imaging study found that first scents have a unique signature in the brain, regardless of whether they're pleasant or unpleasant. Early odor memories are more easily recalled, especially for bad smells, and can be predicted by brain activity.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateNov 5, 2009