Memory fragmentation during threat-driven naturalistic events

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PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Threat as a behavioral and neural construct impacts memory quality. Animal models show arousal-related dysfunction of the MTL, with homologs in the human neuroimaging literature. Specifically, high arousal biases memory encoding towards item-based processing at the detriment of contextual binding in the hippocampus, leading towards memory fragmentation. Research using naturalistic stimuli (i.e., movie clips) allows realistic portrayal to induce threat-driven episodic memory and subsequent impact of accurate arousal-induced dysfunction; however, the role of functional engagement of the MTL have not been wholly identified during the encoding and retrieval of arousal-driven events. The proposed study will utilize ecologically valid experimental designs of tasked-based imaging techniques during encoding and retrieval using naturalistic event memoranda and unconstrained free recall, to better model real-world contexts. This proposal will provide a neurobiological foundation to identify biases in memory due to threat-related arousal. Further, this project and fellowship would allow me to obtain key training opportunities, particularly in neuroimaging analysis, statistical modeling, and theoretical understanding of synthesizing the cognitive neuroscience of memory and neuromodulation; all of which I would not otherwise have the time to receive without this funding. My mentor, co-mentor and I have designed a training plan that will allow me to translate animal models into human neuroimaging research, and gain skills to apply these methods to provide frameworks to understand how threat-related arousal biases memory cohesion. Further, through these experiences I will master analysis techniques needed to characterize neurobehavioral correlates of task-based imaging study designs. These efforts will ensure I gain the professional, analytical, and theoretical skills necessary for my future career as an independent investigator in the domain of arousal-related memory. The support of this fellowship will allow me to round out my education and develop into a productive and impactful researcher, identifying neural mechanisms for threat-related arousal impacts on natural memory formation and memory fragmentation, which I will hope to apply to models of PTSD in the future.