Researchers Find how the Brain Conserves Memories Using MRI
It has been discovered two distinct parts of the human brain—the neocortex and the hippocampus (a part of the brain involved in higher-order brain functions) – have been shown to help protect our memories from interfering with one another. With that information in mind, a group of Researchers from the Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging at the University of Oxford have shed light on the exact neural mechanisms that make it possible for a human to recall precise memory.
How Does the Brain Protects Memories?
Here’s how it goes, the research team gave participants memory tasks to perform in the MRI scanner. Over two days participants learned two overlapping but context-dependent memories. The researchers then measured interference between the two memories on the third day in the scanner.
The findings suggest that at least two different brain regions are involved in mediating memory interference. First, the hippocampus (part of the brain involved in higher-order brain functions) separates overlapping memories using contextual information.
Second, halfway through the scan, the researchers used brain stimulation to reduce the concentration of neocortical GABA (a neurotransmitter (chemical) in the brain that reduces activity in other neurons, regulating communication between brain cells). The researchers found that neocortical memory interference increased in proportion to the reduction in GABA. This shows that, in addition to the hippocampus, neocortical inhibition prevents unwanted co-activation between overlapping memories.
Dr. Helen Barron, who led the research, said: “Our brains have the incredible ability to remember many different examples of similar events in our daily lives, like our commute to work. We can distinguish between individual days and remember vital details such as where we parked our bikes each day.
“Understanding how we lay down overlapping memories and later recall individual events is vital for helping develop treatments for conditions such as dementia and schizophrenia.” Another study has shown that by using MRI to scan brain activity, doctors could predict early signs of dementia by 2 years in advance.
Collaborators at the University of Birmingham are now planning to extend this research to patients with schizophrenia and autism. They will scan volunteers to find out more about the mechanisms that protect against memory interference, what happens when they go wrong, and how we might intervene to help in patient populations.
Following the continuous improvements in imaging technology, most technologists/hospitals often overlooked important aspects such as patients’ comfort when it comes to priority. Sound Imaging is your one-stop shop for all MRI comfort suite products that proved to increase patients’ comfort level while reducing the possibility of costly re-scan. Sound Imaging’s MRI Visor is specially designed to treat and comfort patients that have high anxiety or PTSD, creating a feeling of relaxation towards patients despite not being allowed to move during MRI scans. Please, feel free to visit our website to check all our products and accessories including the MRI Visors, MRI Stereo, MRI PMT and MRI BoreCam
MRI Visor
Materials provided by Neuron.
Note: Content may be edited for style and length purpose.