Long-term Memory Processes Research Articles

Electrophysiological Correlates of Visual Memory Search.

In everyday life, we frequently engage in 'hybrid' visual and memory search, where we look for multiple items stored in memory (e.g., a mental shopping list) in our visual environment. Across three experiments, we used event-related potentials to better understand the contributions of visual working memory (VWM) and long-term memory (LTM) during the memory search component of hybrid search. Experiments 1 and 2 demonstrated that the FN400 - an index of LTM recognition - and the CDA -an index of VWM load - increased with memory set size (target load), suggesting that both VWM and LTM are involved in memory search, even when target load exceeds capacity limitations of VWM. In Experiment 3, we used these electrophysiological indices to test how categorical similarity of targets and distractors affects memory search. The CDA and FN400 were modulated by memory set size only if items resembled targets. This suggests that dissimilar distractor items can be rejected before eliciting a memory search. Together, our findings demonstrate the interplay of VWM and LTM processes during memory search for multiple targets.

Cost of Being Online for Brain: Changing Working Memory Attributes, Associated Metacognitive Knowledge and Long-Term Memory Processing

Converging evidence from neuroscience and psychological sciences demonstrates that continuous sensory stimulation within the intensive internet use affects brain functioning on a broad scale. This includes essential memory, and metacognitive functions extend to the healthiness and disorders which are critical for the adaptive behavior and learning processes. This study aims to show the relation between intensive internet use and the responds of the brain in neural and behavioral levels through some working memory attributes and associated metacognitive functions and long-term memory processing. Accordingly, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies suggest that being online intensively has an impact on activation levels in Anterior Cingulate Cortex, Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex, Orbitofrontal Cortex, Medial and Medial frontal Gyrus, ventral striatum, and the dynamic connectivity pathways including frontal, medial and parietal networks such as Default Mode Network and Task Network which are important for memory and metacognitive functions. Moreover, intensive internet use habits affect some cognitive skills such as the selection of information cues, manipulation and retention of the information and attentional control; evaluation of one’s present knowledge, and regulation of the learning processes for; encoding, consolidation and retrieval of information for long-term memory processes are the effected features. As a conclusion, intensive internet use has a critical impact on neural processes in modular and whole brain level and could play a strong role for the alteration of memory and metacognitive processes.

Verbal learning in frontal patients: area 9 is critical for employing semantic strategies.

Learning is a long-term memory process heavily influenced by the control processes implemented by working memory, including recognition of semantic properties of items by which subjects generate a semantic structure of engrams. The aim of this study is to investigate the verbal learning strategies of patients affected by a tumor in the left frontal lobe to highlight the role of area 9. Ten patients with frontal low-grade gliomas and ten healthy control subjects, matched for age, sex and education, were recruited and then evaluated with a two-part verbal learning test: multi-trial word list learning in free recall, and multi-trial word list learning preceded by an explicit semantic strategy cue. Frontal patients were divided into two groups: those either with frontal lesions involving or sparing area 9. In comparison to healthy control subjects, frontal patients with lesions involving area 9 memorized fewer words and displayed difficulty in using semantic strategies. When the strategy was suggested by the examiner, their performance improved, but to a lesser extent than the healthy control. Conversely, frontal patients with lesions sparing area 9 showed similar results to healthy control subjects. The results suggested that, while the identification of the categorical criterion requires the integrity of the entire dorsolateral prefrontal area, only area 9, and not the surrounding areas, could be responsible for the effective use of semantic strategies in learning tasks.

Study of Short-Term and Long-Term Memories by Hodgkin–Huxley Memristor

Long-term memory (LTM ) and short-term memory (STM ) and their evolution from one to the other are important mechanisms to understand brain memory. We use the Hodgkin–Huxley (HH ) model, a well-tested and closest model to biological neurons and synapses, to shine some light on LTM and STM memorization mechanisms. The role of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] ion channels playing in LTM and STM process is carefully examined by using three different types of input signals, namely, a step DC voltage, a positive part of sinusoidal wave and periodic square signal with read voltage. Results are analyzed based on first-order [Formula: see text] memristor and second-order [Formula: see text] memristor.

Differential effects of intrinsic properties of natural scenes and interference mechanisms on recognition processes in long-term visual memory.

Humans display remarkable long-term visual memory (LTVM) processes. Even though images may be intrinsically memorable, the fidelity of their visual representations, and consequently the likelihood of successfully retrieving them, hinges on their similarity when concurrently held in LTVM. In this debate, it is still unclear whether intrinsic features of images (perceptual and semantic) may be mediated by mechanisms of interference generated at encoding, or during retrieval, and how these factors impinge on recognition processes. In the current study, participants (32) studied a stream of 120 natural scenes from 8 semantic categories, which varied in frequencies (4, 8, 16 or 32 exemplars per category) to generate different levels of category interference, in preparation for a recognition test. Then they were asked to indicate which of two images, presented side by side (i.e. two-alternative forced-choice), they remembered. The two images belonged to the same semantic category but varied in their perceptual similarity (similar or dissimilar). Participants also expressed their confidence (sure/not sure) about their recognition response, enabling us to tap into their metacognitive efficacy (meta-d'). Additionally, we extracted the activation of perceptual and semantic features in images (i.e. their informational richness) through deep neural network modelling and examined their impact on recognition processes. Corroborating previous literature, we found that category interference and perceptual similarity negatively impact recognition processes, as well as response times and metacognitive efficacy. Moreover, images semantically rich were less likely remembered, an effect that trumped a positive memorability boost coming from perceptual information. Critically, we did not observe any significant interaction between intrinsic features of images and interference generated either at encoding or during retrieval. All in all, our study calls for a more integrative understanding of the representational dynamics during encoding and recognition enabling us to form, maintain and access visual information.

The computational power of the human brain.

At the end of the 20th century, analog systems in computer science have been widely replaced by digital systems due to their higher computing power. Nevertheless, the question keeps being intriguing until now: is the brain analog or digital? Initially, the latter has been favored, considering it as a Turing machine that works like a digital computer. However, more recently, digital and analog processes have been combined to implant human behavior in robots, endowing them with artificial intelligence (AI). Therefore, we think it is timely to compare mathematical models with the biology of computation in the brain. To this end, digital and analog processes clearly identified in cellular and molecular interactions in the Central Nervous System are highlighted. But above that, we try to pinpoint reasons distinguishing in silico computation from salient features of biological computation. First, genuinely analog information processing has been observed in electrical synapses and through gap junctions, the latter both in neurons and astrocytes. Apparently opposed to that, neuronal action potentials (APs) or spikes represent clearly digital events, like the yes/no or 1/0 of a Turing machine. However, spikes are rarely uniform, but can vary in amplitude and widths, which has significant, differential effects on transmitter release at the presynaptic terminal, where notwithstanding the quantal (vesicular) release itself is digital. Conversely, at the dendritic site of the postsynaptic neuron, there are numerous analog events of computation. Moreover, synaptic transmission of information is not only neuronal, but heavily influenced by astrocytes tightly ensheathing the majority of synapses in brain (tripartite synapse). At least at this point, LTP and LTD modifying synaptic plasticity and believed to induce short and long-term memory processes including consolidation (equivalent to RAM and ROM in electronic devices) have to be discussed. The present knowledge of how the brain stores and retrieves memories includes a variety of options (e.g., neuronal network oscillations, engram cells, astrocytic syncytium). Also epigenetic features play crucial roles in memory formation and its consolidation, which necessarily guides to molecular events like gene transcription and translation. In conclusion, brain computation is not only digital or analog, or a combination of both, but encompasses features in parallel, and of higher orders of complexity.

Alternative to Detecting Changes in the Mean of an Autoregressive Fractionally Integrated Process with Exponential White Noise Running on the Modified EWMA Control Chart

The modified exponentially weighted moving-average (modified EWMA) control chart is an improvement on the traditional EWMA control chart. Herein, we provide more details about the modified EWMA control chart using various values of an additional design parameter for detecting small-to-moderate shifts in the process mean of an autoregressive fractionally integrated (ARFI(p, d)) process with exponential white noise running thereon. The statistical performances of the two charts were evaluated in terms of the average run length (ARL) obtained by solving integral equations (IEs). This provides an exact formula with proven existence and uniqueness verified by applying Banach’s fixed-point theorem. The accuracy of the proposed formula for the ARL was compared with the ARL derived by using the numerical IE technique for the out-of-control state. Although their accuracies were identical for various out-of-control situations and long-term memory processes, the exact formula method required less than 0.01 s to compute the ARL whereas the numerical IE method took 3–4 s. The strengths of using the exact formula are that it is simple to calculate and the computational time is significantly reduced. Comparing their standard deviations of the run length and median run lengths yielded the same results. Finally, practical examples with real-life data corresponding to ARFI(p, d) processes with exponential white noise are provided to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed exact formula.

Hippocampal–cortical coupling differentiates long-term memory processes

Reactivation of long-term memories enables experience-dependent strengthening, weakening, or updating of memory traces. Although coupling of hippocampal and cortical activity patterns facilitates initial memory consolidation, whether and how these patterns are involved in postreactivation memory processes are not known. Here, we monitored the hippocampal-cortical network as rats repetitively learned and retrieved spatial and nonspatial memories. We show that interactions between hippocampal sharp wave-ripples (SPW-R), cortical spindles (SPI), and cortical ripples (CXR) are jointly modulated in the absence of memory demand but independently recruited depending on the stage of memory and task type. Reconsolidation of memory after retrieval is associated with an increased and extended window of coupling between hippocampal SPW-Rs and CXRs compared to the initial consolidation. Hippocampal SPW-R and cortical spindle interactions are preferentially engaged during memory consolidation. These findings suggest that specific, time-limited patterns of oscillatory coupling can support the distinct memory processes required to flexibly manage long-term memories in a dynamic environment.

The distinction between long-term knowledge and short-term control processes is valid and useful.

The binary distinction De Neys questions has been put forward many times since the beginnings of psychology, in slightly different forms and under different names. It has proved enormously useful and has received detailed empirical support and careful modeling. At heart the distinction is that between knowledge in long-term memory and control processes in short-term memory.

Genetic and environmental influence on resting state networks in young male and female adults: a cartographer mapping study.

We propose a unique, minimal assumption, approach based on variance analyses (compared with standard approaches) to investigate genetic influence on individual differences on the functional connectivity of the brain using 65 monozygotic and 65 dizygotic healthy young adult twin pairs' low-frequency oscillation resting state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) data from the Human Connectome Project. Overall, we found high number of genetically-influenced functional (GIF) connections involving posterior to posterior brain regions (occipital/temporal/parietal) implicated in low-level processes such as vision, perception, motion, categorization, dorsal/ventral stream visuospatial, and long-term memory processes, as well as high number across midline brain regions (cingulate) implicated in attentional processes, and emotional responses to pain. We found low number of GIF connections involving anterior to anterior/posterior brain regions (frontofrontal > frontoparietal, frontotemporal, frontooccipital) implicated in high-level processes such as working memory, reasoning, emotional judgment, language, and action planning. We found very low number of GIF connections involving subcortical/noncortical networks such as basal ganglia, thalamus, brainstem, and cerebellum. In terms of sex-specific individual differences, individual differences in males were more genetically influenced while individual differences in females were more environmentally influenced in terms of the interplay of interactions of Task positive networks (brain regions involved in various task-oriented processes and attending to and interacting with environment), extended Default Mode Network (a central brain hub for various processes such as internal monitoring, rumination, and evaluation of self and others), primary sensorimotor systems (vision, audition, somatosensory, and motor systems), and subcortical/noncortical networks. There were >8.5-19.1 times more GIF connections in males than females. These preliminary (young adult cohort-specific) findings suggest that individual differences in the resting state brain may be more genetically influenced in males and more environmentally influenced in females; furthermore, standard approaches may suggest that it is more substantially nonadditive genetics, rather than additive genetics, which contribute to the differences in sex-specific individual differences based on this young adult (male and female) specific cohort. Finally, considering the preliminary cohort-specific results, based on standard approaches, environmental influences on individual differences may be substantially greater than that of genetics, for either sex, frontally and brain-wide. [Correction added on 10 May 2023, after first online publication: added: functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Added: individual differences in, twice. Added statement between furthermore … based on standard approaches.].

Hubungan Demensia dengan Tingkat Ketergantungan Pemenuhan ADL (Activity of Daily Living) pada Lansia di Panti

Dementia is a collection of symptoms that occurs progressively with cognitive decline marked by change in behavior, decreased memory or remembrance, orientation, difficulty in communication and making decisions that will affect normal social and occupational activities. The decline that will occur in the elderly can cause problems such as long-term memory and information processing, the elderly will have difficulty in re-expressing incidents or events experienced. This research aimed to determine whether there is a relationship between dementia status and the dependency level of elderly in fulfillment of ADL (activity of daily living) at Tresna Werdha Social Home. The type of this research was descriptive correlational with cross sectional approach, the total sampling technique with a sample of 60 elderly in PSTW. The research instrument used a 3MS questionnaire (Modified Mini Mental State Test) and Barthel Indeks. Univariate analysis used frequency and percentage and bivariate analysis used the Chi Square test. In this research, the result obtained that respondents experienced moderate dementia with a percentage (53.3%) and most of the ADL needs of partial dependence elderly with a percentage (46.7%). There was a significant relationship between dementia and the dependency level of elderly in fulfillment of ADL (activity of daily living) at PSTW with sig. (significant) = 0.000 (P Value≤0.05). With this relationship can create better nursing services for the elderly so as not to experience a decline in cognitive function early and be able to meet their ADL needs.

AN INVESTIGATION INTO PERCEPTIONS AND USE OF VISUAL AIDS BY ENGLISH TEACHERS AT SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS IN CAN THO CITY, VIETNAM

In the teaching process, as a teacher, we need to pay attention to many factors to create an effective lesson plan such as: target, objective, and environment and nowadays Visual Aids (VS) is one of the most popular tools and dealing with a direct effect on students learning process. Visual Aids can improve students’ long-term memory process. Besides, we do not have a deep understanding of how to use VS in the right way and at which level VS can engage students learning process. In this paper, the researchers focused on summarizing teachers’ perceptions of how to use VS effectively and the hypothesis of these teachers’ experiences to gain a result on how teachers could use VS to engage students in their learning process. The researchers collected the data by using a questionnaire on 44 senior high school teachers, including 20 male teachers and 24 female teachers and 150 students (70 males and 80 females) from Grade 12 and semi-structured interviews (6 teachers and 6 students) were also conducted then. These teachers chose the most suitable answers for seven questions on how they understood VS definitions and what style of VS they used to; which VS device they thought did the most effective on engaging students in the learning process. A total of 44 senior high school teachers came from high schools in Can Tho City, in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. After data analysis and finding results, the study exposed that a large part of high school teachers only focused on using PowerPoint (PP) to support the teaching process and using pictures, and images which were the most popular styles in using VS in teaching English. And the results showed that the effects of this style were increasing after each time it was used.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0261/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

The Effects of Mindfulness Interventions on Older Adults' Cognition: AMeta-Analysis.

To examine the effect of mindfulness interventions on cognitive tasks in healthy older adults and older adults with diagnoses of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia. Three-level meta-analysis and systematic review of 30 published randomized-controlled trials. Mindfulness interventions provided a small, yet significant positive effect on cognition compared to a control group (average weighted Hedges' g=0.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.06-0.65]). Attention (g=0.22, 95% CI=[0.09, 0.35]), long-term memory (g=0.32, 95% CI=[0.08, 0.56]), and visuospatial processing (g=0.22, 95% CI=[0.10, 0.34]) all showed significantly meaningful changes regardless of cognitive status of the participants. There was no evidence for publication bias. Healthy older adults showed higher effect sizes than those with MCI (g=0.27, 95% CI=[0.11, 0.43], vs. (g=-0.09, 95% CI=[-0.35, 0.17], respectively). Otherwise, there were no significant moderating effects of age, marital status, education, region, intervention type, length, number of sessions, adherence, or gender on effect size. Moderator analyses within cognitive domains suggest that focused attention practices might be the best for improving cognition. Lastly, meditation interventions seem to work as effectively as other mind-body interventions, but not as effectively as other interventions to improve cognitive functioning in older adults. Mindfulness interventions appear to be a useful tool for improving cognitive functioning in older adults.

Effectiveness of Fish Oil-DHA Supplementation for Cognitive Function in Thai Children: A Randomized, Doubled-Blind, Two-Dose, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

The effects of fish oil (FO) or omega-3 supplementation on cognition has been the subject of several previous clinical trials. However, the effect of different doses taken chronically on cognition in children has not been well studied. In order to address this gap in our knowledge, we conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. A total of one hundred and twenty healthy, cognitively normal Thai children aged 6–12 years old consumed daily low dose FO (260 mg Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)), high dose FO (520 mg DHA), or placebo (Soybean oil) for 12 weeks. Cognitive function was assessed using a computerized cognitive battery, including the Go/NoGo, N-Back, and Digit Span tests as well as concurrent event-related potentials (ERPs), which together measured attention, processing speed, inhibition, and memory at baseline and 12 weeks. We hypothesized that compared to placebo, the two FO groups would show improved cognitive performance and shorter ERP latencies. In total, 42, 39, and 39 participants completed each of the test (FO-A, FO-B) and placebo groups (P) allocations, respectively, and were analyzed (120 in total across the three groups). No significant differences were observed between reaction times (RTs), accuracy, or error rates for all three of the cognitive tests. The ERP measurement and analysis of brain activity during the cognitive tests showed an increase in ERP amplitude. For all cognitive tests, there was a dose-response effect of FO on ERP amplitudes. These findings indicate that fish oil intake leads to a consistent improvement in attention and cognitive processing ability measured by changes in brain activity during working and long-term memory processes. This is the first study to directly quantify such an effect through simultaneous measurement of manual and mental activity during cognitive tasks following chronic FO use in children.

Contextual memory reactivation modulates Ca2+-activity network state in a mushroom body-like center of the crab N. granulata

High-order brain centers play key roles in sensory integration and cognition. In arthropods, much is known about the insect high-order centers that support associative memory processes, the mushroom bodies. The hypothesis that crustaceans possess structures equivalent to the mushroom bodies -traditionally called hemiellipsoid body- has been receiving neuroanatomical endorsement. The recent functional support is limited to the short term: in a structure of the true crab Neohelice granulata that has many insect-like mushroom bodies traits, the plastic learning changes express the context attribute of an associative memory trace. Here, we used in vivo calcium imaging to test whether neuronal activity in this structure is associated with memory reactivation in the long-term (i.e., 24 h after training). Long-term training effects were tested by presenting the training-context alone, a reminder known to trigger memory reconsolidation. We found similar spontaneous activity between trained and naïve animals. However, after training-context presentation, trained animals showed increased calcium events rate, suggesting that memory reactivation induced a change in the underlying physiological state of this center. Reflecting the change in the escape response observed in the paradigm, animals trained with a visual danger stimulus showed significantly lower calcium-evoked transients in the insect-like mushroom body. Protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide administered during consolidation prevented calcium mediated changes. Moreover, we found the presence of distinct calcium activity spatial patterns. Results suggest that intrinsic neurons of this crustacean mushroom body-like center are involved in contextual associative long-term memory processes.

Does working memory activate the hippocampus during the late delay period?

ABSTRACT The aim of the present discussion paper was to identify whether any fMRI studies have provided convincing evidence that the hippocampus is associated with working memory. The key outcome variable was the phase in which hippocampal activity was observed: study, early delay, late delay, and/or test. During working memory tasks, long-term memory processes can operate during the study phase, early delay phase (due to extended encoding), or test phase. Thus, working memory processes can be isolated from long-term memory processes during only the late delay period. Twenty-six working memory studies that reported hippocampal activity were systematically analyzed. Many experimental protocol and analysis parameters were considered including number of participants, stimulus type(s), number of items during the study phase, delay duration, task during the test phase, behavioral accuracy, relevant fMRI contrast(s), whether the information was novel or familiar, number of phases modeled, and whether activation timecourses were extracted. For studies that were able to identify activity in different phases, familiar information sometimes produced activity during the study phase and/or test phase, but never produced activity during the delay period. When early-delay phase and late-delay phase activity could be distinguished via modeling these phases separately or inspecting activation timecourses, novel information could additionally produce activity during the early delay phase. There was no convincing evidence of hippocampal activity during the late delay period. These results indicate that working memory does not activate the hippocampus and suggest a model of working memory where maintenance of novel information can foster long-term memory encoding.

Deep cerebellar stimulation enhances cognitive recovery after prefrontal traumatic brain injury in rodent

Functional outcome following traumatic brain injury (TBI) varies greatly, with approximately half of those who survive suffering long-term motor and cognitive deficits despite contemporary rehabilitation efforts. We have previously shown that deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the lateral cerebellar nucleus (LCN) enhances rehabilitation of motor deficits that result from brain injury. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of LCN DBS on recovery from rodent TBI that uniquely models the injury location, chronicity and resultant cognitive symptoms observed in most human TBI patients. We used controlled cortical impact (CCI) to produce an injury that targeted the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC-CCI) bilaterally, resulting in cognitive deficits. Unilateral LCN DBS electrode implantation was performed 6 weeks post-injury. Electrical stimulation started at week eight post-injury and continued for an additional 4 weeks. Cognition was evaluated using baited Y-maze, novel object recognition task and Barnes maze. Post-mortem analyses, including Western Blot and immunohistochemistry, were conducted to elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of recovery. We found that mPFC-CCI produced significant cognitive deficits compared to pre-injury and naïve animals. Moreover, LCN DBS treatment significantly enhanced the long-term memory process and executive functions of applying strategy. Analyses of post-mortem tissues showed significantly greater expression of CaMKIIα, BDNF and p75NTR across perilesional cortex and higher expression of postsynaptic formations in LCN DBS-treated animals compared to untreated. Overall, these data suggest that LCN DBS is an effective treatment of cognitive deficits that result from TBI, possibly by activation of ascending, glutamatergic projections to thalamus and subsequent upregulation of thalamocortical activity that engages neuroplastic mechanisms for facilitation of functional re-organization. These results support a role for cerebellar output neuromodulation as a novel therapeutic approach to enhance rehabilitation for patients with chronic, post-TBI cognitive deficits that are unresponsive to traditional rehabilitative efforts.

The Common Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Human Long-Term Memory and Cognitive Control Processes.

Sleep deprivation is known to have adverse effects on various cognitive abilities. In particular, a lack of sleep has been reported to disrupt memory consolidation and cognitive control functions. Here, focusing on long-term memory and cognitive control processes, we review the consistency and reliability of the results of previous studies of sleep deprivation effects on behavioral performance with variations in the types of stimuli and tasks. Moreover, we examine neural response changes related to these behavioral changes induced by sleep deprivation based on human fMRI studies to determine the brain regions in which neural responses increase or decrease as a consequence of sleep deprivation. Additionally, we discuss about the possibility that light as an environmentally influential factor affects our sleep cycles and related cognitive processes.

Postnatal oxytocin treatment improves survival and neurodevelopmental outcomes in an animal model of neonatal abstinence syndrome

Prenatal exposure to drugs of abuse results in neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). NAS causes significant morbidity and is associated with costly and lengthy hospitalization. Current pharmacotherapy is suboptimal with no FDA approved treatments. We examined the effect of postnatal oxytocin treatment on survival and neurodevelopmental outcomes in rats prenatally exposed to opioids or benzodiazepines. Sprague-Dawley rat dams were injected with escalating doses of morphine (10–50 mg/kg/day) or diazepam (2–15 mg/kg/day) throughout gestation. In an initial experiment, exposed rat pups received subcutaneous injections of 2 mg/kg oxytocin or saline for the first 10 postnatal days and survival rates were assessed. In a second experiment, exposed rat pups received subcutaneous injections of 0.3, 1, or 2 mg/kg oxytocin or saline for the first 10 postnatal days and survival and body weight were assessed for 30 days. In animals surviving through adolescence, neurodevelopmental outcomes and biological parameters (blood glucose, corticosterone, aldosterone) were also measured. Postnatal oxytocin treatment improved survival in animals prenatally exposed to morphine or diazepam. Preliminary evidence showed that postnatal oxytocin treatment improves long-term learning and memory processes in animals prenatally exposed to morphine or diazepam. These findings highlight the potential of oxytocin as a novel treatment for NAS resulting from prenatal exposure to opioids or benzodiazepines.

ERP Evidences of Rapid Semantic Learning in Foreign Language Word Comprehension.

The event-related potential (ERP) of electroencephalography (EEG) signals has been well studied in the case of native language speech comprehension using semantically matched and mis-matched end-words. The presence of semantic incongruity in the audio stimulus elicits a N400 component in the ERP waveform. However, it is unclear whether the semantic dissimilarity effects in ERP also appear for foreign language words that were learned in a rapid language learning task. In this study, we introduced the semantics of Japanese words to subjects who had no prior exposure to Japanese language. Following this language learning task, we performed ERP analysis using English sentences of semantically matched and mis-matched nature where the end-words were replaced with their Japanese counterparts. The ERP analysis revealed that, even with a short learning cycle, the semantically matched and mis-matched end-words elicited different EEG patterns (similar to the native language case). However, the patterns seen for the newly learnt word stimuli showed the presence of P600 component (delayed and opposite in polarity to those seen in the known language). A topographical analysis revealed that P600 responses were pre-dominantly observed in the parietal region and in the left hemisphere. The absence of N400 component in this rapid learning task can be considered as evidence for its association with long-term memory processing. Further, the ERP waveform for the Japanese end-words, prior to semantic learning, showed a P3a component owing to the subject's reaction to a novel stimulus. These differences were more pronounced in the centro-parietal scalp electrodes.