Testing a Model of Competitive Memory Retrieval

描述(申请人提供)：提取诱发的遗忘是由于提取其他相似的记忆而导致的记忆遗忘。虽然提取导致的遗忘在行为学上已经得到了很好的描述，但其神经机制却知之甚少。这项拟议中的研究使用人类的电生理学来监测与提取诱导的遗忘相关的大脑活动。模式分类方法将用于跟踪提取过程中记忆的激活情况。导致遗忘的记忆激活模式将通过随后的遗忘分析来提取。提取诱发遗忘的神经网络模拟预测了一种特定的记忆激活模式，这种模式与theta带振荡有关。这些预测将通过检查被遗忘记忆的激活如何依赖于theta阶段来检验。这项拟议的研究还将改进提取诱导遗忘的神经网络模型，将其应用于海马体结构，并使用更现实的抑制形式。了解支配提取诱发遗忘的精确神经机制将有助于我们更好地控制遗忘发生的时间，这反过来应该有助于我们设计出更好的治疗创伤后应激障碍(最好是更多的遗忘)和与年龄相关的记忆障碍(最好是较少忘记)的方法。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Retrieval-induced forgetting is the forgetting of memories as a result of retrieving other, similar memories. Although retrieval-induced forgetting has been well characterized behaviorally, its neural mechanism is poorly understood. The proposed research uses electrophysiology in humans to monitor the brain activity that correlates with retrieval-induced forgetting. Pattern classification methods will be used to track the activation of memories during retrieval. The pattern of memory activation that leads to forgetting will be extracted using a subsequent forgetting analysis. Neural network simulations of retrieval-induced forgetting predict a specific pattern of memory activation relative to theta band oscillations. These predictions will be tested through examination of how the activation of the to-be-forgotten memories depends on theta phase. The proposed research will also refine the neural network model of retrieval-induced forgetting, by applying it to a hippocampal architecture, and by using more realistic forms of inhibition. Understanding the precise neural mechanisms that govern retrieval-induced forgetting will help us to gain better control over when forgetting occurs, which - in turn - should help us devise better treatments for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (where more forgetting is desirable) and age-related memory disorders (where less forgetting is desirable).