Name: brain imaging investigation of the memory-enhancing effect of emotion
Uploaded: 2011-05-04T13:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Brain Imaging Investigation of the Memory-Enhancing Effect of Emotion at JoVE.com

FD was supported by a Young Investigator Award from the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression and a CPRF Award from the Canadian Psychiatric Research Foundation.

1. Experimental Design, Methodological Issues, &amp; Stimuli
The SMP consist of two tasks, an encoding task and a retrieval task, and recording of brain activity may occur during the encoding task or during 
both encoding and retrieval tasks (see Figure 1 for a diagram illustrating the design of the SMP).
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/2433/2433fig1.jpg" alt="Figure 1" /> 
Figure 1. General Diagram of the SMP design. Brain regions whose activity dur...

<ol>
	<li>Bradley, M. M., Greenwald, M. K., Petry, M. C., Lang, P. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Remembering+pictures:+pleasure+and+arousal+in+memory.">Remembering pictures: pleasure and arousal in memory.</a> J Exp Psychol Learn Mem Cogn. 18, 379-390 (1992).</li><li>Christianson, S. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Emotional+stress+and+eyewitness+memory:+a+critical+review.">Emotional stress and eyewitness memory: a critical review.</a> Psychol Bull. 112, 284-309 (1992).</li><li>Paller, K. A., Wagner, A. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Observing+the+transformation+of+experience+into+memory.">Observing the transformation of experience into memory.</a> Trends Cogn Sci. 6, 93-102 (2002).</li><li>Dolcos, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> The Impact of Emotion on Memory: Evidence from Brain Imaging Studies. , (2009).</li><li>Dolcos, F., Denkova, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neural+correlates+of+encoding+emotional+memories:+a+review+of+functional+neuroimaging+evidence.">Neural correlates of encoding emotional memories: a review of functional neuroimaging evidence.</a> Cell Science Reviews. 5, 78-122 (2008).</li><li>Dolcos, F., LaBar, K. S., Cabeza, R., Uttl, B., Ohta, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+memory-enhancing+effect+of+emotion:+Functional+neuroimaging+evidence.">The memory-enhancing effect of emotion: Functional neuroimaging evidence.</a> Memory and Emotion: Interdisciplinary Perspectives. , 107-134 (2006).</li><li>LaBar, K. S., Cabeza, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cognitive+neuroscience+of+emotional+memory.">Cognitive neuroscience of emotional memory.</a> Nat Rev Neurosci. 7, 54-64 (2006).</li><li>Dolcos, F., Cabeza, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Event-related+potentials+of+emotional+memory:+encoding+pleasant,+unpleasant,+and+neutral+pictures.">Event-related potentials of emotional memory: encoding pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral pictures.</a> Cogn Affect Behav Neurosci. 2, 252-263 (2002).</li><li>Dolcos, F., Graham, R., LaBar, K. S., Cabeza, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Coactiviation+of+the+amygdala+and+hippocampus+predicts+better+recall+for+emotional+than+for+neutral+pictures.">Coactiviation of the amygdala and hippocampus predicts better recall for emotional than for neutral pictures.</a> Brain &#38; Cognition. 51, 221-223 (2003).</li><li>Dolcos, F., LaBar, K. S., Cabeza, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dissociable+effects+of+arousal+and+valence+on+prefrontal+activity+indexing+emotional+evaluation+and+subsequent+memory:+an+event-related+fMRI+study.">Dissociable effects of arousal and valence on prefrontal activity indexing emotional evaluation and subsequent memory: an event-related fMRI study.</a> Neuroimage. 23, 64-74 (2004).</li><li>Dolcos, F., LaBar, K. S., Cabeza, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Interaction+between+the+amygdala+and+the+medial+temporal+lobe+memory+system+predicts+better+memory+for+emotional+events.">Interaction between the amygdala and the medial temporal lobe memory system predicts better memory for emotional events.</a> Neuron. 42, 855-863 (2004).</li><li>Dolcos, F., LaBar, K. S., Cabeza, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Remembering+one+year+later:+role+of+the+amygdala+and+the+medial+temporal+lobe+memory+system+in+retrieving+emotional+memories.">Remembering one year later: role of the amygdala and the medial temporal lobe memory system in retrieving emotional memories.</a> Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 102, 2626-2631 (2005).</li><li>Ritchey, M., Dolcos, F., Cabeza, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Role+of+amygdala+connectivity+in+the+persistence+of+emotional+memories+over+time:+an+event-related+FMRI+investigation.">Role of amygdala connectivity in the persistence of emotional memories over time: an event-related FMRI investigation.</a> Cereb Cortex. 18, 2494-2504 (2008).</li><li>Jacques, S. t., Dolcos, P. L., Cabeza, F., R, . <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effects+of+aging+on+functional+connectivity+of+the+amygdala+for+subsequent+memory+of+negative+pictures:+a+network+analysis+of+functional+magnetic+resonance+imaging+data.">Effects of aging on functional connectivity of the amygdala for subsequent memory of negative pictures: a network analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging data.</a> Psychol Sci. 20, 74-84 (2009).</li><li>Jacques, S. t., Dolcos, P., Cabeza, F., R, . <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effects+of+aging+on+functional+connectivity+of+the+amygdala+during+negative+evaluation:+a+network+analysis+of+fMRI+data.">Effects of aging on functional connectivity of the amygdala during negative evaluation: a network analysis of fMRI data.</a> Neurobiol Aging. 31, 315-327 (2010).</li><li>Hayes, J. P., LaBar, K. S., McCarthy, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Reduced+hippocampal+and+amygdala+activity+predicts+memory+distrotions+for+trauma+reminders+in+combat-related+PTSD.">Reduced hippocampal and amygdala activity predicts memory distrotions for trauma reminders in combat-related PTSD.</a> J Psychiatr Res. , (2011).</li><li>Ritchey, M., Dolcos, F., Eddington, K. M., Strauman, T. J., Cabeza, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neural+correlates+of+emotional+processing+in+depression:+Changes+with+cognitive+behavioral+therapy+and+predictors+of+treatment+response.">Neural correlates of emotional processing in depression: Changes with cognitive behavioral therapy and predictors of treatment response.</a> Journal of Psychiatric Research. , (2010).</li><li>Kleinsmith, L. J., Kaplan, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Paired-associate+learning+as+a+function+of+arousal+and+interpolated+interval.">Paired-associate learning as a function of arousal and interpolated interval.</a> J Exp Psychol. 65, 190-193 (1963).</li><li>Kensinger, E. A., Schacter, D. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Amygdala+activity+is+associated+with+the+successful+encoding+of+item,+but+not+source,+information+for+positive+and+negative+stimuli.">Amygdala activity is associated with the successful encoding of item, but not source, information for positive and negative stimuli.</a> J Neurosci. 26, 2564-2570 (2006).</li><li>Kensinger, E. A., Corkin, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Two+routes+to+emotional+memory:+distinct+neural+processes+for+valence+and+arousal.">Two routes to emotional memory: distinct neural processes for valence and arousal.</a> Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 101, 3310-3315 (2004).</li><li>Kensinger, E. A., Garoff-Eaton, R. J., Schacter, D. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Memory+for+specific+visual+details+can+be+enhanced+by+negative+arousing+content.">Memory for specific visual details can be enhanced by negative arousing content.</a> Journal of Memory and Language. 54, 99-112 (2006).</li><li>Bradley, M. M., Cuthbert, B. N., Lang, P. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Picture+media+and+emotion:+effects+of+a+sustained+affective+context.">Picture media and emotion: effects of a sustained affective context.</a> Psychophysiology. 33, 662-670 (1996).</li><li>Lang, P. J., Bradley, M. M., Cuthbert, B. N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Technical+Report+A-8.">Technical Report A-8.</a> International affective picture system (IAPS): Affective ratings of pictures and instruction manual. , (2008).</li><li>Lang, P. J., Bradley, M. M., Cuthbert, B. N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Technical+report+C-1.">Technical report C-1.</a> Affective norms for English workds (ANEW): Stimuli, instruction manual and affective ratings. , (2008).</li><li>Bradley, M. M., Lang, P. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Measuring+emotion:+the+Self-Assessment+Manikin+and+the+Semantic+Differential.">Measuring emotion: the Self-Assessment Manikin and the Semantic Differential.</a> J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry. 25, 49-59 (1994).</li><li>Kensinger, E. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Remembering+emotional+experiences:+the+contribution+of+valence+and+arousal.">Remembering emotional experiences: the contribution of valence and arousal.</a> Rev Neurosci. 15, 241-251 (2004).</li><li>Hamann, S. B., Ely, T. D., Grafton, S. T., Kilts, C. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Amygdala+activity+related+to+enhanced+memory+for+pleasant+and+aversive+stimuli.">Amygdala activity related to enhanced memory for pleasant and aversive stimuli.</a> Nat Neurosci. 2, 289-293 (1999).</li><li>Watson, D., Clark, L. A., Tellegen, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Development+and+validation+of+brief+measures+of+positive+and+negative+affect:+the+PANAS+scales.">Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: the PANAS scales.</a> J Pers Soc Psychol. 54, 1063-1070 (1988).</li><li>Spielberger, C. D., Gorsuch, R. L., Lushene, R. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Manual for the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. , (1970).</li><li>Voyvodic, J. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Real-Time+fMRI+Paradigm+Control,+Physiology,+and+Behavior+Combined+with+Near+Real-Time+Statistical+Analysis.">Real-Time fMRI Paradigm Control, Physiology, and Behavior Combined with Near Real-Time Statistical Analysis.</a> NeuroImage. 10, 91-106 (1999).</li><li>Tulving, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Memory+and+consciousness.">Memory and consciousness.</a> Canadian Psychology. 26, 1-12 (1985).</li><li>Eldridge, L. L., Knowlton, B. J., Furmanski, C. S., Bookheimer, S. Y., Engel, S. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Remembering+episodes:+a+selective+role+for+the+hippocampus+during+retrieval.">Remembering episodes: a selective role for the hippocampus during retrieval.</a> Nat Neurosci. 3, 1149-1152 (2000).</li><li>Kirwan, C. B., Jones, C. K., Miller, M. I., Stark, C. E. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=High-resolution+fMRI+investigation+of+the+medial+temporal+lobe.">High-resolution fMRI investigation of the medial temporal lobe.</a> Human Brain Mapping. 28, 959-966 (2007).</li><li>Preston, A. R., Bornstein, A. M., Hutchinson, J. B., Gaare, M. E., Glover, G. H., Wagner, A. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=High-resolution+fMRI+of+Content-sensitive+Subsequent+Memory+Responses+in+Human+Medial+Temporal+Lobe.">High-resolution fMRI of Content-sensitive Subsequent Memory Responses in Human Medial Temporal Lobe.</a> Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience. 22, 156-173 (2010).</li><li>Robinson, S., Pripfl, J., Bauer, H., Moser, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+impact+of+EPI+voxel+size+on+SNR+and+BOLD+sensitivity+in+the+anterior+medio-temporal+lobe:+a+comparative+group+study+of+deactivation+of+the+Default+Mode.">The impact of EPI voxel size on SNR and BOLD sensitivity in the anterior medio-temporal lobe: a comparative group study of deactivation of the Default Mode.</a> Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine. 21, 279-290 (2008).</li><li>Daselaar, S. M., Fleck, M. S., Cabeza, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Triple+Dissociation+in+the+Medial+Temporal+Lobes:+Recollection,+Familiarity,+and+Novelty.">Triple Dissociation in the Medial Temporal Lobes: Recollection, Familiarity, and Novelty.</a> Journal of Neurophysiology. 96, 1902-1911 (2006).</li><li>McGaugh, J. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Memory--a+century+of+consolidation.">Memory--a century of consolidation.</a> Science. 287, 248-251 (2000).</li><li>McGaugh, J. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+amygdala+modulates+the+consolidation+of+memories+of+emotionally+arousing+experiences.">The amygdala modulates the consolidation of memories of emotionally arousing experiences.</a> Annu Rev Neurosci. 27, 1-28 (2004).</li></ol>

This experimental protocol allows investigation of the neural correlates of the memory-enhancing effect of emotion, by specifically separating 
the memory-related brain activity that is susceptible to modulation by emotion from activity in brain regions susceptible to emotion modulation during 
general/perceptual processing. This design has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying the impact of emotion on 
memory, and given its versatility it is expected that SMP will remain cr...

brain imaging investigation of the memory-enhancing effect of emotion

Emotional events tend to be better remembered than non-emotional events1,2. One goal of cognitive and affective neuroscientists is 
to understand the neural mechanisms underlying this enhancing effect of emotion on memory. A method that has proven particularly influential in the 
investigation of the memory-enhancing effect of emotion is the so-called subsequent memory paradigm (SMP). This method was originally used to investigate the 
neural correlates of non-emotional memories3, and more recently we and others also applied it successfully to studies of emotional memory (reviewed in4, 5-7). 
Here, we describe a protocol that allows investigation of the neural correlates of the memory-enhancing effect of emotion using the SMP in conjunction with 
event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). An important feature of the SMP is that it allows separation of brain activity specifically 
associated with memory from more general activity associated with perception. Moreover, in the context of investigating the impact of emotional stimuli, 
SMP allows identification of brain regions whose activity is susceptible to emotional modulation of both general/perceptual and memory-specific processing. 
This protocol can be used in healthy subjects8-15, as well as in clinical patients where there are alterations in the neural correlates of emotion perception 
and biases in remembering emotional events, such as those suffering from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)16, 17.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Brain Imaging Investigation of the Memory-Enhancing Effect of Emotion at JoVE.com

Brain Imaging Investigation of the Memory-Enhancing Effect of Emotion

We present a protocol that uses functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the neural correlates of the memory-enhancing effect of emotion. This protocol allows identification of brain activity specifically linked to memory-related processing, contrary to more general perceptual processing, and can be used with healthy and clinical populations.

Emotional events tend to be better remembered than non-emotional events1,2. One goal of cognitive and affective neuroscientists is 
to understand the ...

Research

JoVE Journal

Neuroscience

Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Observing Virtual Social Interactions

The ability to gauge social interactions is crucial in the assessment of others&#x2019; intentions. Factors such as facial expressions and body language ...

Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Emotional Autobiographical Recollection

Recollection of emotional autobiographical memories (AMs) is important to healthy cognitive and affective functioning 1 - remembering positive AMs is ...

Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Emotion Regulation

The ability to control/regulate emotions is an important coping mechanism in the face of emotionally stressful situations. Although significant progress ...

Brain Imaging Investigation of the Impairing Effect of Emotion on Cognition

Emotions can impact cognition by exerting both enhancing (e.g., better memory for emotional events) and impairing (e.g., increased emotional ...

Enabling High Grayscale Resolution Displays and Accurate Response Time Measurements on Conventional Computers

Display systems based on conventional computer graphics cards are capable of generating images with 8-bit gray level resolution. However, most experiments ...

Live Imaging of Mitosis in the Developing Mouse Embryonic Cortex

Although of short duration, mitosis is a complex and dynamic multi-step process fundamental for development of organs including the brain. In the ...

Live Imaging of the Ependymal Cilia in the Lateral Ventricles of the Mouse Brain

Multiciliated ependymal cells line the ventricles in the adult brain. Abnormal function or structure of ependymal cilia is associated with various ...

Effects of Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation on the Primary Motor Cortex by Online Combined Approach with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) is a neuromodulatory technique able to act through sinusoidal electrical waveforms in a specific ...