Differences of relevance in implicit and explicit memory tests: An ERP study

An ERP study was conducted to explore the differences between other-relevant words and possessor-relevant words in implicit and explicit memory tests. The results show that other-relevant words are associated with a more negative ERP than possessor-relevant words during 300--900 ms whether in the implicit or the explicit memory tests. The N400 effect is also found in semantic processing of social materials. There is an ERP dissociation of retrieval formats between the implicit and the explicit memory tests during 700--900 ms, namely, there is no difference between other-relevant words and possessor-relevant words in the implicit memory while there is a significant difference between them in the explicit memory. Observed through Curry 6.0, the analysis of neural sources for other-relevant words and possessor-relevant words indicates that they have different locations. At 400 ms, activity is found in the left precuneus during possessor-relevant words processing. Both the right and the left precuneus are activated during other-relevant words processing. However, at 600 ms their location is both in the left precuneus. In a word, our results show that there exists a cognitive difference between other-relevant words and possessor-relevant words, and other-relevant words closely related to the percipient himself/herself are strongly responded to, which reflects that there is a bigger attention bias to the stimuli concerning the percipient himself/herself than to processor-relevant words.     

内隐还是外显记忆: 对女性面孔吸引力记忆偏好的ERP研究

运用事件相关电位(ERPs)技术, 采用学习-再认的实验范式, 考察38名大学生(21名男生和17名女生)对女性面孔吸引力再认记忆的认知神经机制。结果发现大学生对女性面孔吸引力的记忆偏好存在性别差异, 再认任务中有吸引力的女性面孔诱发了男性更负的早期ERP成分(N90, N220和N300), 而对女性的效应并不显著。这可能与两性在遗传基因、性激素、大脑结构与功能上的不同有关。进一步对男性的记忆特点进行分析发现, 内隐记忆效应在N80和LPC(300~600 ms)上表现显著, 其最强效应出现在中央区和顶区; 外显记忆效应在P170和LPC(400~600 ms)上表现显著, 其最强效应出现在前额区和额区。表明男性对有吸引力女性面孔的记忆偏好效应更大, 且内隐和外显记忆的脑机制在单一的再认任务中产生了分离。     

Interactions between working memory and selective attention

Event-related potential (ERP) was used to examine the interactions between working memory and se- lective attention. We combined two unrelated tasks, one requiring working memory and the other se- lective attention, which were performed by some undergraduates. The ERP results revealed that both congruent and incongruent stimuli in the selective attention task evoked an N400 component, reaching the peak point at around 500 ms. The N400 evoked by incongruent stimuli was more negative than that of congruent, which indicated the difference of semantic N400. Furthermore, working memory load had a significant influence on the N400 evoked by selective attention task in parietal region. And working memory load showed difference in the ERPs of working memory retrieval in central and parietal regions. The ERPs of probe under high working memory load were more positive from 350 to 550 ms post-stimulus; however, stimulus type of selective attention had no influence on working memory re- trieval. The present study shows that working memory does not play a major role in the selective at- tention, especially in ignoring distracter, but it influences the performance of the selective attention as the background. The congruency of target and distracter in the selective attention task does not influ- ence the working memory retrieval.     

An event-related potential study of working memory in children

Working memory refers to temporary storage and manipulation of “on-line” information in the brain,which is central to a large range of cognitive capabili- ties[1]. Visual working memory involves processes such as maintaining, updating and manipulating b…     

What can false memory tell us about memory impairments in Alzheimer’s disease?

The range of memory impairments associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has been a focus for psychological and clinical re-searchers for many years. In addition to investigations of AD patients’ veridical memory using traditional recognition memory tasks, a number of recent studies have focused on false memories to reveal the underlying causes of memory impairment in AD. Studies comparing illusory memories between AD patients and healthy older people have revealed various differences in memory deficits between the development of AD and the typical aging processes. Here, we review 3 types of memory illusions tested in AD patients: associative memory illusions, fluency-based false memories and source memory errors. By comparing AD patients with healthy older adults, we sought to analyze the mechanisms underlying AD-related memory impairments at different stages of memory processing, including encoding, retrieval and monitoring. This comparison revealed that AD patients exhibit an impaired ability to establish and utilize gist representations at the encoding stage and impairments in processing on the basis of familiarity and recollection at the retrieval stage. Consequently, patients with AD have access to less information when making memory judgments. As a result, they become more susceptible to the effects of item fluency, which can be manipulated during the retrieval stage. Furthermore, with impaired source memory monitoring abilities, the capacity of AD patients to suppress memory illusions is compromised. Based on these findings, we propose that the study of false memories constitute a critical tool for elucidating the memory impairments involved in AD. Further explorations of these memory impairments will have practical significance for the diagnosis and treatment of AD in the future.     

A four-state memory cell based on magnetoelectric composite

A four-state memory can store four states in each memory cell. We designed a four-state memory cell using Co/PZT magnetoelectric composite and observed a broad magnetoelectric hysteretic output loop on applying magnetic field. Based on magnetoelectric hysteresis, we developed a read method by applying a bias magnetic field on the memory cell. Results gave clearly four-state signals of 15.8, -4.4, 5.5 and -11.3μV, which demonstrated the feasibility of our design.     

分配注意对短时记忆编码和提取的影响

以大学生为被试,采用分配注意范式探讨了短时记忆编码和提取所需的注意资源。研究发现：与集中注意相比,编码阶段进行第二作业导致记忆成绩显著降低,而提取阶段进行第二作业则对记忆成绩没有影响。自由回忆和顺序回忆的结果一致。本研究表明,短时记忆编码是需要较多注意资源的控制加工,而短时记忆提取则是相对无需注意资源的自动加工。这与当前关于长时记忆的研究结果类似,而与早期以第二作业成绩为测量指标的短时记忆研究结果有所不同。     

Protein synthesis inhibition in the basolateral nucleus of amygdala facilitates extinction of auditory fear memory

It is known that consolidation of fear conditioning requires de novo protein synthesis in the amygdala. However, there is controversy about the role of protein synthesis in post-retrieval extinction of fear memory. The present study investigated the effect of protein synthesis inhibition (PSI) in the baso- lateral nucleus of amygdala (BLA) on post-retrieval extinction of auditory fear memory. Intra-BLA infu- sion of the protein synthesis inhibitor anisomycin ‘0’ h post-retrieval facilitated the extinction, but was ineffective if the memory was not retrieved. Anisomycin had no effect on the extinction when it was infused 6 h post-retrieval. The present results suggest that there exists a protein-synthesis-dependent mechanism in the BLA that retards extinction of auditory fear memory.     

Relationship between prospective memory and vigilance: Evidence from ERP

Event-related potentials (ERPs) were used in this study to investigate the neural correlates of prospective memory (PM) and vigilance. Twenty college or graduate students participated in this study. They were administered a PM and a vigilance task and physiological data were collected at the same time. Behavioral results showed that the RT associated with PM cues was longer than those associated with vigilance targets. ERP results showed that PM cues and vigilance targets did not show significant difference in the N2 but PM cues evoked greater N300 than vigilance targets, and vigilance targets evoked greater parietal positivity/P3 than PM cues, suggesting vigilance and PM have similar but also distinctive neural basis.     

Effect of updating training on fluid intelligence in children

Recent studies have indicated that working memory (WM) training can improve fluid intelligence.However,these earlier studies confused the impact of WM storage and central executive function on the effects of training.The current study used the running memory task to train the updating ability of 9-11 year-old children using a double-blind controlled design.The results revealed that children’s fluid intelligence was significantly improved by memory-updating training.Overall,our findings suggest that the increase in fluid intelligence achieved with WM training is related to improving central executive function.     

消费者的内隐记忆及启动策略

消费者接触商品信息时往往都是不经意的，这种信息通常以内隐记忆的形式深藏于消费者心中而无法被主动提取。相对于外显记忆，内隐记忆表现出保持时间长、加工深、记忆负荷小、不易受干扰等优势，使其在营销领域更具研究价值。要使消费者的内隐记忆产生良好的营销效果关键在于启动，为此提出线索启动、环境启动、情绪启动等对策。     

＂Aha!＂ effects in a guessing Chinese logogriph task： An event-related potential study

In the present study, high-density event-related potentials （ERPs） were recorded to examine the electrophysiologic correlates of ＂Aha!＂ effects in a guessing Chinese Iogogriph task by using a two-stage model for learning-testing. Results showed that： Firstly Successful Guessing elicited a more negative ERP deflection （N350） than Recognition did in the time window from 300--350 ms after onset of the stimuli. A voltage map of the difference wave （Successful Guessing minus Recognition） showed strong activity at the front-central region. Dipole analysis localized the generator of the N350 in the vicinity of the posterior cingulate cortex （PCC） and the inferior frontal gyrus. Secondly, a greater late positive component （LPC） in Successful Guessing than Recognition was found between 600 and 700 ms post-stimulus. Dipole analysis localized the generator of LPC in the right parahippocampal gyrus.     

Effects of encoding and retrieval on the mechanism of item + context binding

To investigate the neural mechanism of semantic representation and color context binding, we used electroencephalograph time frequency and coherence analyses to reveal local and long-range functional coupling in the encoding and retrieval phases of episodic memory. Fifteen undergraduates participated in the experiment and middle-frequency double-character Chinese words were used as stimuli in two types of study-test tasks (context recall and context recognition tests). Significant differences between item+context and item in the encoding phase were observed at the electrodes in the frontal region at 600–800 ms by time frequency analysis. Further differences were observed at 800 ms by independent component analysis: the frontal component and the coherent component of the triangle phase locking structure among the prefrontal, right parietal and left parietal-occipital regions. In the retrieval phase, differences between item+context and item were found on the electrodes at the central parietal and parietal-occipital regions at 400 ms by time frequency analysis, on the parietal-occipital component at 800 ms by independent component analysis and on the coherence component of the anterior right hemisphere and parietal-occipital regions at 1400 ms. In conclusion, the different effects of encoding and retrieval processing on ‘binding’ are reflected by the differing extents that brain regions engaged in cognitive operations. In the retrieval phase in particular, activities of the parietal-occipital region were specifically associated with ‘binding’, and coherence between frontal and temporal-parietal regions is a common brain activity in episodic memory.     

The adaptive characteristics of memory: A perspective from the life-span development of associative memory illusion

The reconstructive process in memory may cause distortions or errors.Associative memory illusion is one of the most common types of false memories.It acts as a reflection of the adaptive characteristic of memory by suggesting its ability to adaptively use semantic gist information even with limited cognitive resources.Meanwhile, the adaptive characteristic of memory is also manifested by inhibiting false memories with certain strategies (e.g., encoding item-specific information) to ensure memory accuracy ac...     

图画优异性效果在编码和提取中的促进作用

为调查图画优异性效果,比较了在编码和提取过程中图词和单词所诱发的ERP(事件相关电位)。20位中国留学生被分成2组,分别参加了图词和单词记忆实验,每个实验包含12个学习-测试序列。在图词记忆实验中,120幅图词组合被平均分成12组作为视觉刺激物呈现在学习阶段,相同的120个单词呈现在单词记忆实验的学习阶段。在两个实验的测试阶段,都只呈现单词作为记忆测试的刺激物,每个序列里随机呈现5个旧单词和5个新单词。在学习阶段,图词诱发的FN400比单词诱发的FN400波幅更大且持续时间更长。在提取阶段,相对于单词条件,图词条件的旧项目诱发了更显著的FN400熟悉性效果和晚期新旧效果。比较图词条件的新旧项目在提取阶段的ERP成分,发现图词旧项目诱发了显著的FN400熟悉性效果和晚期新旧效果。但在提取阶段,单词条件的新旧项目之间不存在显著的FN400波幅和晚期正成分波幅上的差异。因此推测,由于图词同时进行的图像和语义双编码引起了图词旧项目在测试阶段被更快更好地回忆,图画优异性效果主要表现为图画能增强编码和促进回忆。     

焦虑个体心境一致性记忆的实验研究

采用新的研究方法——加工分离程序的扩展模型,能更科学地区分意识和无意识的独立作用,避免了两的相互感染。经对焦虑大学生的测试,研究结果表明：(1)焦虑个体只存在内隐的心境一致性记忆;(2)焦虑个体的认知是以“危险”为主题、与威胁感相联系的;(3)焦虑个体对积极事件存在外显记忆优势。     

Preparation of monolayer-assembled fluorescent film and its sensing performances to hidden nitroaromatic explosives

Pyrene was chemically assembled on a glass plate surface in a monolayer manner via spacers containing triethylenetetramine （TETA） subunits. It has been demonstrated that the fluorescence emission of the film is sensitive to the presence of trace amount of nitroaromatic compound （NAC） vapors. As discovered in the present work, the response selectivity of the pyrene-functionalized film depends on the length of the spacer, the vapor pressure of a given NAC, and the quencher size. The film shows faster response to those quenchers which have higher vapor pressure and smaller size. Compared to the film with shorter spacers, the present film with longer flexible spacers shows a slower response to the NACs, but higher selectivity to the quencher size. Additionally, the detection limits to common ex- plosives in vapor phase, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene （TNT） and 2,4-dinitrotoluene （DNT）, are 7.14×10^-12 and 5.49×10^-11 g·mL^-1, respectively. Further examinations indicated that the sensing process is fully reversible, and the vapors of those common interference such as benzene, toluene, ethanol, and perfume have little effect upon the sensing performances of the film.     

大学生性别刻板印象的结构研究

同时运用自编的内隐联想测验和外显的自陈式量表来研究大学生的性别刻板印象,结果表明:1．内隐的性别刻板印象效应显著但性别差异不显著;它是单一的一维结构。外显的性别刻板印象有显著的性别差异,具有较强的自我矫饰性,是一个二维的结构。性别刻板印象的内外结构之间出现实验分离现象且两者相互独立;2．性别刻板印象存在着一定的危害性,它是对女性的一种刻板的歧视和偏见。因此,真正追求两性平等还是一项任重而道远的工作。     

Orientation to learning context modulates retrieval processing for unrecognized words

Explicit memory errors may occur when individuals fail to retrieve information about items previously studied (item memory) or about the learning context (source memory). We examined electrophysiological measures during recognition failure in order to determine the influence of retrieval orientation for item versus source information. Recognition failure was associated with brain potentials distinct from those associated with success. Furthermore, source-memory failures were associated with earlier-onset brain potentials with a more anterior distribution compared to item-memory failures. Neurocognitive processing was thus modulated by retrieval orientation so as to differentially influence neural correlates of successful versus unsuccessful retrieval.     

Fear memories require protein synthesis in the amygdala for reconsolidation after retrieval

'New' memories are initially labile and sensitive to disruption before being consolidated into stable long-term memories. Much evidence indicates that this consolidation involves the synthesis of new proteins in neurons. The lateral and basal nuclei of the amygdala (LBA) are believed to be a site of memory storage in fear learning. Infusion of the protein synthesis inhibitor anisomycin into the LBA shortly after training prevents consolidation of fear memories. Here we show that consolidated fear memories, when reactivated during retrieval, return to a labile state in which infusion of anisomycin shortly after memory reactivation produces amnesia on later tests, regardless of whether reactivation was performed 1 or 14 days after conditioning. The same treatment with anisomycin, in the absence of memory reactivation, left memory intact. Consistent with a time-limited role for protein synthesis production in consolidation, delay of the infusion until six hours after memory reactivation produced no amnesia. Our data show that consolidated fear memories, when reactivated, return to a labile state that requires de novo protein synthesis for reconsolidation. These findings are not predicted by traditional theories of memory consolidation.