Manipulating Memories

Full course description

Neurobiological and cognitive research has resurrected an old alternative notion that all memories – independent of their type or age – remain vulnerable to change. Rather than permafrosted, stored memories can change from an inactive state to an active state during retrieval, in which new information can be added, old information be changed or existing representations be strengthened. These findings have important ramifications both for a fundamental understanding of how the brain memorizes experiences, as well as for practical applications in which memory manipulations are wanted, such as in skill learning, education and therapies to reduce the impact of traumatic memories. In this elective, we will discuss the cognitive (e.g., conditioning, skill learning, interference paradigms) and neurobiological (e.g., long-term potentiation and molecular neuroscience, brain anatomy, hippocampus) substrates of memory and how they can be changed, and discuss relevant research methods and behavioural paradigms to study memory manipulation. Further, we will discuss how these principles and methods can be applied in fields of education, cognitive enhancement and clinical therapy. This elective is meant for students who have an interest in fundamental as well as applied aspects of memory research. While the course aims to provide a multi-disciplinary and integrative description of memory, the course assumes a basic understanding of neuroscientific principles in the brain (e.g., brain anatomy, neural communication, brain plasticity). Further, a strong interest in research methods, cognitive science and experimental design is also highly recommended. Finally, we will make use of various teaching methods, which include PBL discussions of empirical research papers, group assignments and slide-based presentations of the assignments in front of the class. Presentations will be done in small groups of 2-4 students within each tutorial group.