Visual Memory Tasks for Episodic Memory
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
The goal of this clinical trial is to examine how repeated memory retrieval changes visual representations in the brain in healthy adult participants. Specifically, the study aims to determine whether repeated recall strengthens or transforms neural representations in visual cortex compared to a time-matched control condition. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1) Does repeated retrieval produce cumulative changes in visual cortical representations compared to a control condition matched for elapsed time? 2) Do these representational changes differ for simple spatial stimuli and complex natural images?
Researchers will compare neural activity patterns during repeated retrieval to those during a control retrieval condition to determine whether repeated recall leads to systematic changes in representational structure beyond those attributable to the passage of time. Participants will: 1) complete two fMRI sessions. 2) Undergo a localizer session including anatomical imaging, population receptive field (pRF) mapping, and a visual category localizer task. 3) Study cue-stimulus pairs consisting of either simple spatial patterns or natural images. 4) Recall previously studied stimuli multiple times during repeated and control retrieval conditions while undergoing fMRI scanning. Brain activity patterns during study and recall will be compared to assess how repeated retrieval influences the structure and tuning of visual representations.
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Localizer Session
Participants undergo a localizer session including anatomical imaging, population receptive field (pRF) mapping, and a visual category localizer task
Experimental Session
Participants complete two fMRI sessions involving perception and recall of visual stimuli under repeated and control retrieval conditions
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the experimental sessions
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Visual Memory Encoding and Retrieval Task
How Is the Trial Designed?
1
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
All participants will complete a visual memory encoding and retrieval task during fMRI scanning. The study uses a within-subject design in which each participant completes both a repeated retrieval condition and a time-matched control retrieval condition. This design allows comparison of neural representational changes associated with repeated retrieval while controlling for elapsed time.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Brown University
Lead Sponsor
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Collaborator
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