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Feature-specific reaction times reveal a semanticisation of memories over time and with repeated remembering.

ABSTRACT: Memories are thought to undergo an episodic-to-semantic transformation in the course of their consolidation. We here test if repeated recall induces a similar semanticisation, and if the resulting qualitative changes in memories can be measured using simple feature-specific reaction time probes. Participants studied associations between verbs and object images, and then repeatedly recalled the objects when cued with the verb, immediately and after a two-day delay. Reaction times during immediate recall demonstrate that conceptual features are accessed faster than perceptual features. Consistent with a semanticisation process, this perceptual-conceptual gap significantly increases across the delay. A significantly smaller perceptual-conceptual gap is found in the delayed recall data of a control group who repeatedly studied the verb-object pairings on the first day, instead of actively recalling them. Our findings suggest that wake recall and offline consolidation interact to transform memories over time, strengthening meaningful semantic information over perceptual detail.

SUBMITTER: Lifanov J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8155072 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Feature-specific reaction times reveal a semanticisation of memories over time and with repeated remembering.

Lifanov Julia J Linde-Domingo Juan J Wimber Maria M

Nature communications 20210526 1

Memories are thought to undergo an episodic-to-semantic transformation in the course of their consolidation. We here test if repeated recall induces a similar semanticisation, and if the resulting qualitative changes in memories can be measured using simple feature-specific reaction time probes. Participants studied associations between verbs and object images, and then repeatedly recalled the objects when cued with the verb, immediately and after a two-day delay. Reaction times during immediate ...[more]

PMID: 34039970

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Project description:BackgroundDisasters can have long-lasting impacts on mental health. Intrusive memories have been found to be common and persistent in the aftermath of earthquakes.ObjectiveTo explore, using diaries, intrusive memories' presence, content, characteristics, and relationship with probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a small rural community exposed to mass destruction and loss of life.MethodsSurvivors of the 2016-2017 Central Italy earthquakes (N = 104) were first interviewed to investigate the presence of intrusive memories of the disaster. Those that reported intrusive memories were subsequently asked to complete a 7-day paper-and-pen diary tracking their spontaneous memories of the earthquake events.ResultsTwenty months after the earthquakes, 49% (n = 51) of the sample reported having experienced intrusive memories post-earthquake and 38% (n = 39) reported at least one intrusive memory in their diaries. Memories were rated as being distressing, vivid, and experienced as a mixture of images and thoughts. The content of intrusive memories generally focused on sensations and experiences during the earthquake. Other common categories of content were the material environment and physical objects as well as human loss & death. Several memories had a social focus. A minority of memories contained more positive content as well as content from before and after the earthquake. Some participants (28%) experienced repeated intrusive memories of the same content. Memories of participants with and without probable PTSD did not significantly differ on characteristics or content.ConclusionsIntrusive memories can be common, distressing, and persistent occurrences following disasters, even in survivors not suffering from probable PTSD.HighlightsIntrusive memories were common, distressing, and vivid more than 1-year post-disaster.They captured peri-earthquake sensations, material destruction, death, and social interactions.No difference in content or characteristics was found between participants with and without probable PTSD.

Dataset Information

Feature-specific reaction times reveal a semanticisation of memories over time and with repeated remembering.

Publications

Feature-specific reaction times reveal a semanticisation of memories over time and with repeated remembering.

Similar Datasets

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