The development and neural bases of pattern separation and relational memory

项目总结/摘要 情景记忆在人类认知功能和整体生活成功中起着不可或缺的作用。因此，在本发明中， 情节记忆的适当出现是典型发展的关键部分。幼儿时期标志着一个 情景记忆增益最大的时间窗口。本项目的目标是确定 并描述情节记忆的认知过程，它们的相对 发展轨迹，以及记忆神经网络的结构连接， 年幼的孩子。为了实现这一目标，提出了三项具有具体、可实现目标的研究。 [首先，我们将研究模式分离和关系记忆-两者都被理论化为 情景记忆的基石过程-在一项任务中评估它们对情景记忆的相对贡献， 记忆发展第二，我们通过研究的发展变化， 作为上下文的模式分离需求的函数的关系存储器。第三，我们将叙述情节 记忆力的改善，以年龄相关的差异，在大脑结构连接之间的地区参与 在情景记忆中。我们假设，模式分离以及关系记忆的发展 显著地随年龄增长，并将解释情节记忆表现的独特差异。我们也 假设在这个年龄窗口期间情景记忆的增加伴随着年龄相关的 记忆神经网络结构连接的差异。该项目将有助于通知 预防和干预，针对涉及的适当组成部分认知过程， 情节记忆受损的各种身体和精神健康状况。

Project Summary / Abstract Episodic memory plays an integral role in human cognitive functioning and overall life success. Thus, proper emergence of episodic memory is a crucial part of typical development. Early childhood marks a time window in which gains in episodic memory are greatest. The goal of this project is to identify and characterize the component cognitive processes of episodic memory, their relative developmental trajectories, and the structural connectivity of memory neural network in young children. In service of this goal, three studies with specific, achievable objectives are proposed. [First, we will examine pattern separation and relational memory – both have been theorized to be cornerstone processes of episodic memory – in one task to assess their relative contribution to episodic memory development. Second, we integrate both processes by examining the developmental changes of relational memory as a function of pattern separation demand for contexts.] Third, we will relate episodic memory improvements to age-related differences in brain structural connectivity between regions involved in episodic memory. We hypothesize that pattern separation as well as relational memory develops significantly with age and will account for unique variances in episodic memory performance. We also hypothesize that gains in episodic memory during this age window is accompanied by age-related differences in the structural connectivity of memory neural network. This project will help inform prevention and intervention by targeting the appropriate component cognitive processes involved in various physical and mental health conditions in which episodic memory is compromised.