How the hippocampus and cortex shape everyday memories
Disentangling hippocampal and cortical contributions to episodic memory
This project uses brain scans and gentle magnetic stimulation to understand why memories sometimes change or become fuzzy in people who notice memory errors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Drexel University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11058517 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would come to the lab to do memory tasks while researchers take brain scans (fMRI) to see which brain areas are active when memories are detailed versus more general. They will also apply brief, non-invasive magnetic stimulation (TMS) to specific brain regions to observe how that changes what you remember. Computer-based models will be used to link the patterns of brain activity and stimulation to different kinds of memory distortion. The plan combines early training for the investigator with multi-year experiments to map how hippocampus and cortical regions interact during memory formation and distortion.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults who are willing to complete lab memory tests and attend in-person fMRI and TMS sessions, including people who notice everyday memory errors.
Not a fit: People with implanted metal devices, a history of seizures, pregnancy, or those seeking immediate clinical treatment for serious memory disorders are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could point the way to new methods for reducing memory errors or guiding therapies for conditions with memory distortion.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies using fMRI and TMS have shown they can alter memory performance in lab settings, but combining these methods with computational models to separate hippocampal versus cortical contributions is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- Drexel University — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tompary, Alexa — Drexel University
- Study coordinator: Tompary, Alexa
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.