Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 20, 2026
13:51
Cross-Modal Multivariate Pattern Analysis
Published on: November 9, 2011
20.5K
The Role of Visual Association Cortex in Associative Memory Formation across Development
Maya L Rosen1, Margaret A Sheridan2, Kelly A Sambrook1
1University of Washington.
Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience
|October 25, 2017
Summary
Visual processing regions, not just the hippocampus, are key for developing associative memory in youth. Increased activity in visual areas like the lateral occipital cortex and fusiform gyrus supports better memory formation with age.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Associative learning is crucial for episodic memory formation.
- Hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (pFC) development support age-related memory improvements.
- Emerging evidence suggests visual association cortex also plays a role.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of visual processing regions in associative memory across development.
- To examine how neural recruitment in these regions relates to memory performance in youth.
Main Methods:
- A paired associate learning task was used with 56 participants (ages 6-19).
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was employed during memory encoding.
- Behavioral memory tests were conducted outside the scanner.
Main Results:
- Linear age-related increases in activation were observed in the lateral occipital cortex and fusiform gyrus.
- Higher activation in these visual regions correlated with better memory for paired associates, independent of age and hippocampal/pFC activity.
- Visual region recruitment mediated the relationship between age and memory performance.
Conclusions:
- Greater recruitment of category-preferential visual processing regions during encoding is a neural mechanism for improved associative memory with age.
- These findings highlight the significant contribution of visual cortex development to memory maturation in youth.
More Related Videos
09:01A Method for Investigating Age-related Differences in the Functional Connectivity of Cognitive Control Networks Associated with Dimensional Change Card Sort Performance
Published on: May 7, 2014
10.6K
07:17Aversive Associative Learning and Memory Formation by Pairing Two Chemicals in Caenorhabditis elegans
Published on: June 23, 2022
3.0K
Related Concept Videos
01:21Association Areas of the Cortex
9.7K
Association areas are regions of the cerebral cortex that do not have a specific sensory or motor function. Instead, they integrate and interpret information from various sources to enable higher cognitive processes such as memory, learning, and decision-making. Some key association areas include the following:
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
9.7K
01:14Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex
8.0K
The cerebral cortex, the brain's outermost layer, is pivotal in processing complex cognitive tasks, emotions, and various sensory inputs and executing voluntary motor activities. This intricate structure is divided into three primary functional areas: the motor areas, sensory areas, and association areas.
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex....
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex....
8.0K
01:23Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex
2.8K
The somatosensory cortex in the parietal lobes is crucial for interpreting sensory data such as touch, temperature, and proprioception. The somatosensory cortex, situated in the parietal lobes, plays a vital role in interpreting sensory information like touch, temperature, and proprioception—awareness of body position. This specialized brain region features an organized structure wherein neurons at the top primarily process sensations originating from the lower body. In contrast, those at...
2.8K
01:27Associative Learning
1.5K
Associative learning is a fundamental concept in behavioral psychology, wherein a connection is established between two stimuli or events, leading to a learned response. This process is critical in understanding how behaviors are acquired and modified. Conditioning, the mechanism through which associations are formed, can be divided into two main types: classical conditioning and operant conditioning, each elucidating different aspects of associative learning.
Classical conditioning, also known...
Classical conditioning, also known...
1.5K
01:26Higher Mental Functions of Brain: Learning and Memory
2.2K
Memory is one of the most vital higher mental functions of the brain. Memory is closely related to learning because it enables us to retain information and experiences from our past to use them in our present life. It also helps us to remember facts, events, and skills, such as riding a bike or swimming. There are two types of memory — declarative memory, which involves memorizing facts or events, and procedural memory, which enables us to remember how to do something like writing or...
2.2K
01:14Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory
1.3K
The cerebellum, while traditionally associated with motor control, also plays a crucial role in memory, particularly in procedural memory, which involves learning motor tasks that become automatic through repetition. For example, studies have shown that when the cerebellum is damaged, individuals or animals lose the ability to learn conditioned motor responses, such as the conditioned eye-blink response in classical conditioning experiments with rabbits. This study demonstrates the...
1.3K