How prior knowledge helps people remember
A Neurocognitive Basis of Remembering Driven by Prior Semantic Knowledge
This project looks at how what people already know and how things look influence memory in adults, including older adults and people with Alzheimer's disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Maryland, College Park NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Park, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11194531 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers will collect large-scale memory tests and analyze detailed brain activity to see how past knowledge stored in semantic brain regions helps people remember things. They will combine computerized models of behavior with fine-grained neural data to compare the role of meaning versus visual features in making items memorable. Some work will be done with collaborators at the NIH and by collecting behavioral data from many participants. The long-term aim is to use these findings to guide new ways to support memory in aging and cognitive disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be adults able to complete memory and cognitive testing, including older adults and people with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage Alzheimer's disease.
Not a fit: People with advanced dementia who cannot complete tests or give informed consent are unlikely to be able to participate or directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new, mechanism-based ways to support or improve memory for people with aging-related memory loss or Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research shows both visual features and prior knowledge affect memory, but combining large behavioral datasets with fine-scale neural analysis focused on semantic brain regions is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
College Park, United States
- Univ of Maryland, College Park — College Park, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xie, Weizhen — Univ of Maryland, College Park
- Study coordinator: Xie, Weizhen
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.