The Neural Mechanisms of Memory for Object Shape and Motion: Integrating Evidence from fMRI, ERPs, and TMS

据推测，记忆本质上是建设性的，来自不同大脑区域的特征或组成部分结合起来形成统一的记忆。与这一观点一致的是，对物体或声音的记忆可以激活相应的视觉或听觉皮层处理区域。此外，对特定类别物体的记忆可以激活相应的处理区域（例如，对面孔的记忆可以激活面部处理区域）。然而，几乎没有证据表明记忆可以激活处理细节特征的区域，比如物体的颜色、运动或形状，如果建设性记忆假说是正确的，这是可以预期的。在美国国家科学基金会（National Science Foundation）的支持下，波士顿学院（Boston College）的斯科特·斯洛特尼克（Scott Slotnick）博士和他的学生将研究记忆是否能激活这些特定的特征处理区域。特别是，将确定运动记忆是否可以激活运动处理区域，形状记忆是否可以激活形状处理区域（以及这种活动是否对记忆至关重要）。经典记忆相关的皮质区域，即前额叶皮质和顶叶皮质的作用也将被评估与特征处理区域的活动有关。本研究将通过功能磁共振成像（fMRI）来确定皮层活动的精确空间位置，事件相关电位（ERP）源定位，确定皮层活动的精确时间，以及经颅磁刺激（TMS）来确定感兴趣的皮层区域是否对记忆是必要的。这个项目将为迄今为止建设性记忆假说提供最令人信服的证据。虽然fMRI和ERP源定位的结合或fMRI和TMS的结合已被用于研究视觉感知和注意，但这些结合的方法尚未被用于研究记忆或其他认知功能。因此，为进行这项研究而开发的技术将作为未来认知神经科学研究的方法论框架。该项目的资助还将通过研究生和本科生直接参与研究，并为专注于认知神经科学方法的新课程提供基础，促进波士顿学院神经科学项目的发展。更广泛地说，这个项目将评估记忆是否可以特定于物品的特征，这可以解释某些类型的患者记忆丧失，也可能对法律有影响（与目击者证词的细节水平有关）。

It has been hypothesized that memory is constructive in nature, where features or components from disparate brain regions combine to form a unified memory. Consistent with this view, it has been shown that memory for objects or sounds can activate the corresponding visual or auditory cortical processing regions. Furthermore, memory for specific categories of objects can activate the corresponding processing regions (e.g., memory for faces can activate face processing regions). However, there is little evidence that memory can activate regions that process detailed features, such as object color, motion, or shape, which would be expected if the constructive memory hypothesis is correct. Through support from the National Science Foundation, Dr. Scott Slotnick and his students at Boston College will investigate whether memory can activate such feature specific processing regions. In particular, it will be determined whether memory for motion can activate motion processing regions and whether memory for shape can activate shape processing regions (and whether such activity is essential for memory). The role of classic memory related cortical regions, namely, the prefrontal cortex and parietal cortex, will also be evaluated in relation to activity in feature processing regions. This research will be conducted by integrating functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), to identify the precise spatial location of cortical activity, event-related potential (ERP) source localization, to identify the precise timing of cortical activity, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), to identify whether a cortical region of interest is necessary for memory.This project will provide the most compelling evidence bearing on the constructive memory hypothesis to date. While the combination of fMRI and ERP source localization or fMRI and TMS have been used to study visual perception and attention, these combined methodologies have not been used to study memory or other cognitive functions. As such, the techniques developed to conduct this research will serve as a methodological framework for future cognitive neuroscience studies. Funding of this project will also foster the growth of the neuroscience program at Boston College through direct participation of graduate and undergraduate students in the research, and by providing the basis for new courses that will focus on methods in cognitive neuroscience. More broadly, this project will assess whether memory can be specific for item features, which could explain certain types of memory loss in patients and could also have implications for law (relating to the level of detail in eyewitness testimony).