How our age affects remembering good and bad experiences
Bringing positive and negative events to mind: Effects of age on emotional memory retrieval
['FUNDING_R01'] · BOSTON COLLEGE · NIH-11126858
This project explores how people of different ages remember the details of positive and negative past events, and how this affects their well-being.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | BOSTON COLLEGE (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CHESTNUT HILL, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11126858 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
We often remember past events differently, focusing on certain details over others, and this can shape our feelings and decisions. This project looks at how our age might influence which emotional details we recall from past experiences. Researchers will examine how memory works for both positive and negative events, and how these memories are represented in the brain. Understanding these differences can help us learn more about how our minds and emotions change as we get older.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be adults of various ages interested in understanding how memory and emotion interact.
Not a fit: Patients seeking direct treatment for a specific disease or condition may not find immediate benefit from this basic science investigation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help us understand how emotional memory changes with age, potentially leading to new ways to support mental well-being across the adult lifespan.
How similar studies have performed: Previous observations suggest age-related differences in emotional memory, but the underlying reasons and brain mechanisms are not yet fully understood.
Where this research is happening
CHESTNUT HILL, UNITED STATES
- BOSTON COLLEGE — CHESTNUT HILL, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: KENSINGER, ELIZABETH ANN — BOSTON COLLEGE
- Study coordinator: KENSINGER, ELIZABETH ANN
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.