Lifanov, J., Linde-Domingo, J. and Wimber, M. (2021) Feature-specific reaction times reveal a semanticisation of memories over time and with repeated remembering. Nature Communications, 12, 3177. (doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-23288-5) (PMID:34039970) (PMCID:PMC8155072)
![[img]](https://eprints.gla.ac.uk/style/images/fileicons/text.png) |
Text
242638.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. 1MB |
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.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | This work was supported by a European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant StG-2016-715714 awarded to M.W., by a project grant from the Economic and Social Sciences Research Council UK (ES/M001644/1) awarded to M.W., and a scholarship from the Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership (MIBTP) awarded to J.L.D. |
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Wimber, Professor Maria |
| Authors: | Lifanov, J., Linde-Domingo, J., and Wimber, M. |
| College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience |
| Journal Name: | Nature Communications |
| Publisher: | Nature Research |
| ISSN: | 2041-1723 |
| ISSN (Online): | 2041-1723 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2021 The Authors |
| First Published: | First published in Nature Communications 12: 3177 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons License |
| Related URLs: | |
| Data DOI: | 10.17605/OSF.IO/WP4FU |
University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record
Funder and Project Information
Funder and Project Information