Understanding episodic memory dynamics: Retrieval and updating mechanisms revealed by fMRI and tDCS
This study investigates brain mechanisms in memory preservation and alteration using a three-phase design: memory encoding (Day 1), interference under fMRI (Day 2), and testing (Day 3). Thirty-one participants completed the core experiment, supplemented by a tDCS study (n = 118) targeting the visual...
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Elsevier
2025-04-01
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| Series: | NeuroImage |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053811925001727 |
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| author | Dong-ni Pan CuiZhu Lin Ma Xin Oliver T. Wolf Gui Xue Xuebing Li |
| author_facet | Dong-ni Pan CuiZhu Lin Ma Xin Oliver T. Wolf Gui Xue Xuebing Li |
| author_sort | Dong-ni Pan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study investigates brain mechanisms in memory preservation and alteration using a three-phase design: memory encoding (Day 1), interference under fMRI (Day 2), and testing (Day 3). Thirty-one participants completed the core experiment, supplemented by a tDCS study (n = 118) targeting the visual cortex. Original memories were more susceptible to incorrect updating during old-background/new-object interference compared to relearning and no-retrieval conditions. Interference trials elicited heightened activation in the Inferior Parietal Lobe (IPL), Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC), and Dorsal Anterior Cingulate Gyrus (dACC) versus no-retrieval controls, and increased frontoparietal and Occipital Fusiform Gyrus (OFG) activation versus relearning. Analyzing interference trials by Day 3 outcomes revealed preserved memories correlated with stronger cingulo-opercular and frontoparietal activation (indicating effective conflict resolution), whereas updated memories showed elevated OFG activity (suggesting new sensory integration). Crucially, IPL/DLPFC activation during interference positively correlated with original memory accuracy, while OFG activation showed negative correlation. tDCS stimulation of the occipital cortex during memory reactivation significantly enhanced memory updating, confirming visual cortex involvement in contextual distortion. Findings demonstrate distinct neural profiles underlie memory outcomes: preserved memories require efficient conflict processing networks, while perceptual interference during reactivation promotes updates through sensory integration systems. This supports targeted neuromodulation approaches for memory modification, highlighting intervention potential through visual cortex engagement during critical memory phases. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-80a7b2eb41af4bd5a2375ea8ede69f3b |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1095-9572 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | NeuroImage |
| spelling | doaj-art-80a7b2eb41af4bd5a2375ea8ede69f3b2025-08-20T01:54:11ZengElsevierNeuroImage1095-95722025-04-0131012117010.1016/j.neuroimage.2025.121170Understanding episodic memory dynamics: Retrieval and updating mechanisms revealed by fMRI and tDCSDong-ni Pan0CuiZhu Lin1Ma Xin2Oliver T. Wolf3Gui Xue4Xuebing Li5Key laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No 16 Lincui Rd Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 1000490, China; Cognitive Science and Allied Health School, Beijing Language and Culture University, Beijing 100083, ChinaCognitive Science and Allied Health School, Beijing Language and Culture University, Beijing 100083, ChinaCognitive Science and Allied Health School, Beijing Language and Culture University, Beijing 100083, ChinaDepartment of Cognitive Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum 44801, GermanyState Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning & IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, ChinaKey laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No 16 Lincui Rd Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 1000490, China; Corresponding author.This study investigates brain mechanisms in memory preservation and alteration using a three-phase design: memory encoding (Day 1), interference under fMRI (Day 2), and testing (Day 3). Thirty-one participants completed the core experiment, supplemented by a tDCS study (n = 118) targeting the visual cortex. Original memories were more susceptible to incorrect updating during old-background/new-object interference compared to relearning and no-retrieval conditions. Interference trials elicited heightened activation in the Inferior Parietal Lobe (IPL), Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC), and Dorsal Anterior Cingulate Gyrus (dACC) versus no-retrieval controls, and increased frontoparietal and Occipital Fusiform Gyrus (OFG) activation versus relearning. Analyzing interference trials by Day 3 outcomes revealed preserved memories correlated with stronger cingulo-opercular and frontoparietal activation (indicating effective conflict resolution), whereas updated memories showed elevated OFG activity (suggesting new sensory integration). Crucially, IPL/DLPFC activation during interference positively correlated with original memory accuracy, while OFG activation showed negative correlation. tDCS stimulation of the occipital cortex during memory reactivation significantly enhanced memory updating, confirming visual cortex involvement in contextual distortion. Findings demonstrate distinct neural profiles underlie memory outcomes: preserved memories require efficient conflict processing networks, while perceptual interference during reactivation promotes updates through sensory integration systems. This supports targeted neuromodulation approaches for memory modification, highlighting intervention potential through visual cortex engagement during critical memory phases.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053811925001727ReconsolidationPrediction errorMemory retrievalEpisodic memoryVisual modalityfMRI & tDCS |
| spellingShingle | Dong-ni Pan CuiZhu Lin Ma Xin Oliver T. Wolf Gui Xue Xuebing Li Understanding episodic memory dynamics: Retrieval and updating mechanisms revealed by fMRI and tDCS NeuroImage Reconsolidation Prediction error Memory retrieval Episodic memory Visual modality fMRI & tDCS |
| title | Understanding episodic memory dynamics: Retrieval and updating mechanisms revealed by fMRI and tDCS |
| title_full | Understanding episodic memory dynamics: Retrieval and updating mechanisms revealed by fMRI and tDCS |
| title_fullStr | Understanding episodic memory dynamics: Retrieval and updating mechanisms revealed by fMRI and tDCS |
| title_full_unstemmed | Understanding episodic memory dynamics: Retrieval and updating mechanisms revealed by fMRI and tDCS |
| title_short | Understanding episodic memory dynamics: Retrieval and updating mechanisms revealed by fMRI and tDCS |
| title_sort | understanding episodic memory dynamics retrieval and updating mechanisms revealed by fmri and tdcs |
| topic | Reconsolidation Prediction error Memory retrieval Episodic memory Visual modality fMRI & tDCS |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053811925001727 |
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