Selective Recall Research Articles

Memory bias beyond ego: Selective recall of positive financial outcomes

A recent experimental literature has documented that people are (sometimes) asymmetric updaters: good news is over-weighted relative to bad news. This phenomenon might be due to selective recall (SR), whereby people better recall positive evidence than negative evidence. To test this hypothesis, we ran a balls-and-urns experiment where each subject faced a box with 100 balls, each bearing a different boy or girl name (N = 448). Subjects received a prize for each ’female’ ball but did not know the exact composition of the urn. Each subject then observed 20 consecutive random draws from her urn, with distracting tasks placed between some extractions. In a subsequent incentivized memory task, unexpected by the subjects, they were asked to write down as many extracted names as they could recall. Since female draws were (exogenously manipulated) good news, SR predicts that they are more likely to be remembered, which is exactly what we found. When subjects received a prize per ’male’ ball, in contrast, they recalled significantly better the extracted boy names. This SR effect persisted even after we controlled for other factors that may influence recall in our design, such as the timing of the extraction or the length of the name. When subjects were asked to estimate the share of ’paying’ balls in the urn, however, we observed no biases at the mean level. That is, SR does not always lead to overestimation of the frequency of positive events.

Assessing the effect of anthocyanins through diet and supplementation on cognitive function in older adults at risk for dementia: protocol for a randomised controlled trial

IntroductionPromising evidence is emerging for the procognitive, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties of dietary flavonoids, particularly anthocyanins that provide red, purple and blue plant pigments.Methods and analysisThe ‘Food for Thought’ study...

The effect of dual-task training on postural and cognitive performances in adolescents with down syndrome

BackgroundThe dual task training (DTT) has been shown to improve postural and cognitive performances in many populations. Therefore, it seems of interest to explore the effect of such training modality in individuals with Down syndrome (DS) presenting both cognitive and postural deficits. AimsThis study explored the effect of a DTT compared to a single task training (STT) on postural and cognitive performances in adolescents with DS. Methods and proceduresThe center of pressure velocity (CoPVm) and the cognitive performance in the selective word recall test were recorded under single task (ST) and DT conditions before and after 8 weeks in the STT group (STTG), the DTTG and the control group (CG). Outcomes and resultsBefore training, CoPVm values increased and cognitive performances decreased (p < 0.001) during the DT compared to ST conditions in all groups. After training, CoPVm decreased (p < 0.001) in the DTTG and the STTG under the ST conditions. However, under DT conditions, these values decreased (p < 0.001) only in the DTTG. The cognitive performance increased (p < 0.001) only in the DTTG in both ST and DT conditions. ConclusionThe DTT is strongly recommended to improve both postural and cognitive performances in individuals with DS notably in DT conditions.

Responsible remembering: The role of metacognition, forgetting, attention, and retrieval in adaptive memory.

In our everyday lives, we must remember important information, especially if there are consequences for forgetting. In this review, I discuss recent work on responsible remembering: the strategic and effortful prioritization of important information with consequences for forgetting. Thus far, research regarding responsible remembering has revealed several key factors and mechanisms that work together to enhance memory for important information that will continue to be refined: the identification and selection of what to remember (metacognitive reflectivity), the forgetting of less important information to facilitate memory for items that do need to be remembered (responsible forgetting), the functional prioritization of attention at the expense of competing factors (responsible attention), and the selective recall of important information via efficient retrieval strategies (responsible retrieval). Together, these functions form a cohesive system that aims to selectively prioritize, encode, and recall information that is deemed important based on its anticipated utility or the consequences of forgetting, and considering the importance of information may be a critical memory adaptation as we age. Specifically, if younger and older adults learn to self-assess and prioritize important information that has negative consequences if forgotten, engage in strategic forgetting, efficiently allocate their attentional resources, and utilize effective retrieval operations, memory for said important information can be enhanced.

Amnestic Syndrome in Memory Clinics: Similar Morphological Brain Patterns in Older Adults with and without Alzheimer’s Disease

Background: Amnestic syndrome of the hippocampal type (ASHT) in Memory Clinics is a presentation common to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, ASHT can be found in other neurodegenerative disorders. Objective: To compare brain morphometry including hippocampal volumes between amnestic older adults with and without AD pathology and investigate their relationship with memory performance and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers. Methods: Brain morphometry of 92 consecutive patients (72.5±6.8 years old; 39% female) with Free and Cued Selective Recall Reminding Test (FCSRT) total recall &lt; 40/48 was assessed with an automated algorithm and compared between AD and non-AD patients, as defined by CSF biomarkers. Results: AD and non-AD patients presented comparable brain morphology. Total recall was associated to hippocampal volume irrespectively from AD pathology. Conclusions: Brain morphometry, including hippocampal volumes, is similar between AD and non-AD older adults with ASHT evaluated in a Memory Clinic, underlying the importance of using molecular biomarkers for the diagnosis of AD.

Hippocampal cholecystokinin-expressing interneurons regulate temporal coding and contextual learning

Cholecystokinin-expressing interneurons (CCKIs) are hypothesized to shape pyramidal cell-firing patterns and regulate network oscillations and related network state transitions. To directly probe their role in the CA1 region, we silenced their activity using optogenetic and chemogenetic tools in mice. Opto-tagged CCKIs revealed a heterogeneous population, and their optogenetic silencing triggered wide disinhibitory network changes affecting both pyramidal cells and other interneurons. CCKI silencing enhanced pyramidal cell burst firing and altered the temporal coding of place cells: theta phase precession was disrupted, whereas sequence reactivation was enhanced. Chemogenetic CCKI silencing did not alter the acquisition of spatial reference memories on the Morris water maze but enhanced the recall of contextual fear memories and enabled selective recall when similar environments were tested. This work suggests the key involvement of CCKIs in the control of place-cell temporal coding and the formation of contextual memories.

Habitual consumption of anthocyanin is associated with improvements in mood and cognitive performance in older people with memory complaints

The role of flavonoids on cognitive performance in older adults has been intensively studied, with the subclass of anthocyanins showing promising outcomes(1). However, there is conflicting evidence in the case of individuals at high risk of developing dementia, namely those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). A recent study has suggested that cognitive scores in people with MCI were higher in those who had higher anthocyanin intake (&gt;10 mg)(2). Baseline data from 65 participants of an ongoing clinical trial that had an MIS (Memory Index Score) score ≤ 13 with self-reported subjective memory complaints, (mean age 69.1y ± 6.2) were used to investigate the relationship between dietary anthocyanin intake and indices of mood and cognitive performance. Repeated 24-hour dietary intake was recorded through Intake24 (a computer-based program) for three days (2Xweekday and 1Xweekend day) and anthocyanin intake was quantified using the PhenolExplorer food composition database. The primary outcome of interest was the Buschke and Grober Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test-Immediate Recall (FCSRT+IR) (assesses auditory anterograde memory functioning), while other cognitive functions assessed included: Spot the Word-2 (assessing premorbid estimate); Oral Symbol Digit Test (speed of processing); List Sorting (working memory); Trail Making Test A &amp; B (speed of processing/executive function); and Verbal Fluency (language/semantic memory). Subjective memory complaints were assessed using the Memory Assessment Clinic-Q (MAC-Q) and mood was assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Independent t-tests were used to compare differences in cognitive tasks and mood scores between high (&gt;10 mg/d) and low consumers of anthocyanins (&lt;10 mg/d). There was a trend for high anthocyanin consumers (n = 35, median = 44.87 (10.01, 177.83)) to score better on FCSRT-Delayed Free Recall scores (16.57 ± 3.74) compared to lower consumers (n = 30, median = 0.01 (0, 9.51)), (15.97 ± 0.18) with a mean difference (SE) of −1.06 (0.58) (p = 0.06) suggesting recall of 1.06 more words after a 20-30 minute delay. Higher consumers had a lower GDS score (1.77 ± 3.73) compared to lower consumers (3.73 ± 1.77), p = 0.01. Spot the word test scores (assesses premorbid verbal abilities using a robust lexical decision task) were higher for high anthocyanin consumers (53.06 ± 4.38) compared to lower consumers (50.40 ± 4.38), mean difference (SE) = −2.66 (1.10), p = 0.01, meaning participants with higher intake of dietary anthocyanin were able to point at 2.7 more real words than low consumers. Dietary consumption of anthocyanin in older adults with MIS is associated with beneficial effects on depressive scores and the ability to retrieve words. Further research is warranted to identify optimal dosage for recommended intake. This cross-sectional study used baseline data from a randomised controlled trial registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR):12622000065796.

Predicting habitual water intake from lifestyle questions.

Previous studies have used selective recall and descriptive dietary record methods, requiring considerable effort for assessing food and water intake. This study created a simplified lifestyle questionnaire to predict habitual water intake (SQW), accurately and quickly assessing the habitual water intake. We also evaluated the validity using descriptive dietary records as a cross-sectional study. First, we used crowdsourcing and machine learning to collect data, predict water intake records, and create questionnaires. We collected 305 lifestyle-related questions as predictor variables and selective recall methods for assessing water intake as an outcome variable. Random forests were used for the machine learning models because of their interpretability and accurate estimation. Random forest and single regression correlation analysis were augmented by the synthetic minority oversampling that trained the model. We separated the data by sex and evaluated our model using unseen hold-out testing data, predicting the individual and overall habitual water intake from various sources, including non-alcoholic beverages, alcohol, and food. We found a 0.60 Spearman's correlation coefficient for total water intake between the predicted and the selective recall method values, reflecting the target value to be achieved. This question set was then used for feasibility tests. The descriptive dietary record method helped to obtain a ground-truth value. We categorized the data by gender, season, and source: non-alcoholic beverages, alcohol, food, and total water intake, and the correlation was confirmed. Consequently, our results showed a Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.50 for total water intake between the predicted and the selective recall method values. We hypothesize that dissemination of SQW can lead to better health management by easily determining the habitual water intake.

Diagnostic Business Cycles

Abstract A large psychology literature argues that, due to selective memory recall, decision-makers’ forecasts of the future are overly influenced by the perceived news. We adopt the diagnostic expectations (DE) paradigm [Bordalo et al. (2018), Journal of Finance, 73, 199–227] to capture this feature of belief formation, develop a method to incorporate DE in business cycle models, and study the implications for aggregate dynamics. First, we address (1) the theoretical challenges associated with modelling the feedback between optimal actions and agents’ DE beliefs and (2) the time-inconsistencies that arise under distant memory (i.e. when news is perceived with respect to a more distant past than just the immediate one). Second, we show that under distant memory the interaction between actions and DE beliefs naturally generates repeated boom–bust cycles in response to a single initial shock. We also propose a portable solution method to study DE in dynamic stochastic general equilibrium models and use it to estimate a quantitative DE New Keynesian model. Both endogenous states and distant memory play a critical role in successfully replicating the boom–bust cycle observed in response to a monetary policy shock.

Memory and Probability

Abstract In many economic decisions, people estimate probabilities, such as the likelihood that a risk materializes or that a job applicant will be a productive employee, by retrieving experiences from memory. We model this process based on two established regularities of selective recall: similarity and interference. We show that the similarity structure of a hypothesis and the way it is described (not just its objective probability) shape the recall of experiences and thus probability assessments. The model accounts for and reconciles a variety of empirical findings, such as overestimation of unlikely events when these are cued versus neglect of noncued ones, the availability heuristic, the representativeness heuristic, conjunction and disjunction fallacies, and over- versus underreaction to information in different situations. The model yields several new predictions, for which we find strong experimental support.

Association of Emerging β-Amyloid and Tau Pathology With Early Cognitive Changes in Clinically Normal Older Adults.

Alzheimer disease (AD) clinical trials are moving earlier in the disease process according to emerging signs of β-amyloid (Aβ) and tau pathology. If early treatment is the right time for intervention, it is critical to find the right test to optimize cognitive outcome measures for clinical trials. We sought to identify cognitive measures associated with the earliest detectable signs of emerging Aβ and tau pathology. One hundred twelve clinically normal adults with longitudinal Pittsburgh compound B (PiB)-PET, 18F-flortaucipir (FTP)-PET, and cognitive data for ≥7 years were included from the Harvard Aging Brain Study (HABS). Analyses assessed those initially classified as PiB- (less than Centiloid [CL] 20) and then expanded to include PiB+ individuals up to CL40, the approximate threshold beyond which neocortical tau proliferation begins. Separate linear mixed-effects models assessed the effects of emerging global Aβ (PiB slope) and tau (baseline FTP level and FTP slope) in the entorhinal and inferior temporal (IT) cortices on multiple cognitive tasks and the Preclinical Alzheimer's Cognitive Composite (PACC) over time. Steeper PiB slopes were associated with declining processing speed (Digit Symbol Substitution Test [DSST], Trail Making Test Part A) in those <CL20 and expanded to include learning/memory retrieval (FCSRT-FR], Selective Reminding Test Total Recall [SRT-tr], Logical Memory Immediate Recall) in the <CL40 group. FTP had limited effects under CL20, with only rising right IT FTP slope related to declining FCSRT-FR and SRT-tr learning/memory retrieval. When we expanded to include those initially <CL40, rising FTP level or slope was related to declines across all tasks, and PiB slope effects on memory retrieval but not DSST score were reduced. A composite measure of processing speed and memory retrieval tasks provided the strongest prediction of decline under CL40, while PACC score remained optimal at high levels of Aβ (>CL40). Early, Aβ-mediated cognitive slowing was detected for processing speed measures, while early memory retrieval declines were associated with emerging Aβ and tau pathology. Composites of these measures may help determine whether anti-Aβ or anti-tau therapies administered at the first signs of pathology might preserve cognitive function. This study provides Class I evidence that in clinically normal older adults, emerging PET-detected AD pathology is associated with declining processing speeds and memory retrieval.

Cognitive Dissonance: Affecting Party Orientation and Selective Recall of Political Information

Cognitive dissonance theory posits that inconsistencies between attitudes and behaviors cause an uncomfortable arousal state, and people are motivated to reduce this discomfort by changing attitudes or behaviors to increase consistency. This principle applies to research on political affiliation. Due to dissonance processes, individuals focus less on political information that opposes their views and pay greater attention when it is congruent with their views. This study adds to this research by examining whether political orientation causes a similar pattern of selective attention bias during the recall stage. Participants (117) studied a political article on a social issue representing a viewpoint that was favorable to Democrats. Next, participants recalled as much information as possible by typing the information in a textbox. Using a sliding scale, they also rated how they felt about the article in terms of arousal and affect, and indicated whether the article was neutral, positive, or negative. Democrats were predicted to recall more positive information and more positive affect after reading the article than Republicans. Surprisingly, more Republicans, rather than Democrats, recalled more positive information about the article. Finally, those who scored more conservatively on the political slider also reported more positive affect toward the article. Although contrary to the study hypotheses, these results have implications for our current understanding of selective attention in a political context by showing the bias also occurs at the recall stage. It takes a special effort to be able to think outside the bubble. The purpose of this study is to find what it takes to pop the bubble and change the mindset of political engaged people. Keywords: cognitive dissonance, attentional bias, political orientation, selective recall

Validity of a selective recall method for assessing water intake and its relationship with hydration status.

We previously established a descriptive dietary record method that accurately quantifies habitual water intake from food and beverages, to ascertain the relationship between water intake and health. Here, we verified the validity of a selective recall method, which is easy for users to answer and analyze. Japanese men and women aged 20-44 years (n = 16) and 45-64 years (n = 16) participated over three working days and one non-working day. The day following each of the surveyed days, participants collected their first morning urine for urinalysis and completed a selective recall and descriptive dietary record questionnaire. The two methods of determining water intake were positively correlated (r = 0.94, p < 0.0001). Water intake volumes from non-alcoholic beverages (r = 0.94, p < 0.0001), alcoholic beverages (r = 1.00, p < 0.0001), and food (r = 0.72, p < 0.0001), calculated using the two methods, exhibited strong correlation. No correlation was observed between urinalysis parameters and total water intake. A significant, negative correlation was observed between urine osmolarity and total water intake in men (r = -0.55, p = 0.0011) and women (r = -0.51, p = 0.0032) aged 20-44 years. Selective recall is a valid method for assessing water intake from food and beverages.

Cognitive decline as an outcome and marker of progression toward dementia, in early preventive trials.

Recent Food and Drug Administration guidance endorses cognitive assessment as a possible primary endpoint for early trials for Alzheimer's disease but emphasizes the need for certainty regarding the relationship with progression to dementia. We compared the validity of the 2-year change (Y0-Y2) of 11 markers of neuropsychological and functional abilities for the prediction of incident dementia over the following 3 years (Y2-Y5), in 860 subjects aged 70 years or older, who consulted for memory loss and were included in the "GuidAge" prevention trial. The Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test-Free Recall (FCSRT-FR) score showed the most predictive 2-year change (area under the curve=0.72 95% confidence interval=0.64;0.81). Changes in other subscores of the FCSRT, verbal fluencies tasks, and composite cognitive score were also significantly predictive. Conversely, 2-year change of Mini-Mental State Examination, Trail Making test (TMT)-A, TMT-B, Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes, and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scores did not significantly predict occurrence of dementia. The FCSRT, the Fluency Task, and the composite cognitive score appear to be good cognitive markers of progression toward dementia in early prevention trials.

Effects of restriction of activities and social isolation on risk of dementia in the community.

Social isolation and emotional isolation, i.e. loneliness, have been associated with dementia or cognitive decline. In contrast, the relationship of restriction of physical and instrumental activities of daily living to cognitive decline and dementia has been less studied. We examined multiple quality of life (QoL) indicators, including isolation and restriction of activities, utilizing two validated scales in elders without dementia to determine their associations with cognitive decline and incident dementia that were followed longitudinally over 6 years. We comprehensively controlled for other symptom constellations, including depression and anergia. A large multi-ethnic prospective study was conducted in northern Manhattan, NYC. An ethnically diverse sample of 855 non-demented individuals at baseline participated. The following QoL scales were utilized: Restriction, Anergia, Isolation, Loneliness, and Affective Suffering. Both Restriction (HR = 2.22, 95% CI [1.42, 3.47], P < .001) and Isolation (HR = 1.78, 95% CI [1.17, 2.70], P = 0.007) were associated with episodic memory and incident dementia, controlling for age, sex, and education. Loneliness and Affective Suffering (depression) were not associated with these outcomes (P's > .1) with both Restriction and Isolation in the same model for the prediction of dementia, only Restriction remained significant (HR = 1.97, 95% CI [1.24, 3.14], P = 0.004). In cross-lagged panel analyses, Restriction and Isolation had reciprocal influences (P's < .001), indicating that Restriction at the previous time point influenced current Isolation. Importantly, Restriction (but not Isolation) and Selective Reminding total recall memory demonstrated highly significant direct and reciprocal influences over time (P's < .001). Restriction and Isolation were associated with incident dementia. Restriction played a more prominent role in its impact on memory decline. The development of these impairments in QoL, particularly Restriction, may provide warning signs of future cognitive decline and dementia and provide multiple and novel avenues for therapeutic interventions with the goal of delaying the development of cognitive decline and dementia.

Categorical judgments do not modify sensory representations in working memory.

Categorical judgments can systematically bias the perceptual interpretation of stimulus features. However, it remained unclear whether categorical judgments directly modify working memory representations or, alternatively, generate these biases via an inference process down-stream from working memory. To address this question we ran two novel psychophysical experiments in which human subjects had to reverse their categorical judgments about a stimulus feature, if incorrect, before providing an estimate of the feature. If categorical judgments indeed directly altered sensory representations in working memory, subjects’ estimates should reflect some aspects of their initial (incorrect) categorical judgment in those trials. We found no traces of the initial categorical judgment. Rather, subjects seemed to be able to flexibly switch their categorical judgment if needed and use the correct corresponding categorical prior to properly perform feature inference. A cross-validated model comparison also revealed that feedback may lead to selective memory recall such that only memory samples that are consistent with the categorical judgment are accepted for the inference process. Our results suggest that categorical judgments do not modify sensory information in working memory but rather act as top-down expectations in the subsequent sensory recall and inference process.

Evaluation of the function of the hippocampus at the preoperative stage of cardiac surgery as a harbinger of postoperative psychosis

IntroductionDevelopment of an acute cerebral dysfunction in a form of delirium after cardiac surgeries is common general medical problem that associated with prolonged hospital stay after the surgery, risk of development of infection, risk of subsequent neurocognitive changes, and postoperative morbidityObjectivesTo compare risk of development of postoperative delirium in elderly patients with and without hippocampal dysfunctionMethodsSelective observational longitudinal study of the same group of objects in pre and postoperative periodResultsFor the diagnosis of degenerative process in CNS on early stages Free and cued selective reminding test immediate recall (FCSRT-IT) was shown to be the most sensitive. Based on learning of verbal material and semantic cues with recalling, FCSRT-IT allows differentiating amnestic disturbances hippocampal type from secondary disturbances of memory due to neurodynamic changesConclusionsHippocampal dysfunction is a factor of developing of postoperative delirium in elderly patients that requires using additional measures in patients with mild cognitive disturbance to prevent developing of postoperative deliriumDisclosureNo significant relationships.

Higher percent of energy intake as carbohydrates has a negative relationship with cognitive performance in APOE4 carriers

AbstractBackgroundExpression of the APOE4 allele is a known genetic risk factor of Alzheimer’s Disease. There is speculation that dietary carbohydrate intake may also influence AD risk. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cross‐sectional relationship between dietary carbohydrate intake and cognitive performance stratified by APOE status in a population of cognitively normal, older adults.MethodBaseline data from 62 cognitively normal older adults participating in a nutrition intervention study (Nutrition Interventions for Cognitive Enhancement study; NICE study) were analyzed. Dietary intake was obtained by 3‐day diet records and entered into the Nutrition Data System for Research. Fasting blood draws were attained and APOE status was determined by Quest Diagnostics®. A cognitive battery was conducted by a trained psychometrician. Individual test z‐scores were calculated to form domains of memory (Logical Memory Tests I and II and the Free and Cued Selective Recall Test), attention (Digit Span Forward and Backward and Stroop Number Letter), visuospatial processing (Stroop Color, Block Design, Trailmaking A, and Digit Symbol Substitution Test), and executive function (Trailmaking B and Category Fluency Animals/Vegetables). We constructed ordinary least squares regression models to assess the relation between proportion of carbohydrate as energy and cognition controlled for age and gender in an APOE‐dependent manner. Statistical analyses were performed using R (v. 3.6.2; R Foundation, Vienna, Austria). Statistical significance was set at p &lt; 0.05.ResultParticipants were 85% female and had a mean age of 72.1±4.9 years. APOE status was 32% APOE4 carriers (n=20) and 68% non‐carriers. There was no difference in age, sex or dietary macronutrient intake between carriers and non‐carriers. Within APOE4 carriers, higher percent of energy as carbohydrate was related to poorer memory (β̞=‐0.64, p=0.002) and executive function (β̞=‐0.51, p=0.02). Within the non‐carriers, there was no relationship between percent carbohydrate and cognitive performance.ConclusionAPOE4 carriers with higher percent dietary carbohydrate intake had worse performance on cognitive functions tests. These results support the concept that dietary carbohydrate may be an important modifiable risk factor for AD. These findings will be further investigated utilizing the final sample size of the NICE Study (n=200).

Selective recall deficits for heterogeneous associations in detoxified individuals with alcohol use disorder

AimAlcohol use disorder (AUD) has been associated with recognition memory deficits. However, it remains unclear whether these deficits occur at the general recognition memory level or whether they selectively affect its subcomponents. Evidence suggests that recognition memory deficits may vary according to the heterogeneity of memory stimuli. Our aim was to investigate stimuli pair-dependent recognition memory deficits in AUD, using a cued recall task including homogeneous and heterogeneous stimuli pairs. MethodsTwenty-three patients with AUD (days since last alcohol consumption: 11.70 ± 10.20) and 23 healthy controls (HC) underwent a neuropsychological examination tapping attention, verbal fluency, logical, working and long-term memory, and a recognition and recall task involving both homogeneous (tool-tool) and heterogeneous (tool-scene, tool-animal) stimuli pairs. Group (AUD-HC) by condition (tool-tool, tool-scene, tool-animal) ANOVAs were performed on all neuropsychological indices. ResultsIn the neuropsychological examination, AUD individuals showed deficits in delayed recall and faster reaction times compared with HC. The administration of the recognition and recall task revealed specific performance decreases in cued recall occurring in the whole sample (AUD + HC) for heterogeneous (tool-scene, tool-animal) pairs compared with homogeneous pairs. Within this pattern, AUD patients showed a lower cued recall rate than HC only for tool-animal pairs. ConclusionsOur results support the existence of specific recall/recollection deficits in AUD which occurred for heterogeneous, but not for homogeneous stimuli pairs. This finding calls for further neuroimaging investigations aimed at investigating the neurobiological substrate of (i) different recognition memory subcomponents, and (ii) the processing of stimuli with different degree or type of heterogeneity.

Category labels can influence the effects of selective retrieval on nonretrieved items.

Using lists of unrelated items as study material, recent studies have shown that selective retrieval of some studied items can impair or improve recall of the nonretrieved items, depending on whether the lag between study and selective retrieval is short or long. This study examined whether the results generalize when the items are studied together with their category labels (e.g., BIRD-magpie) and the category labels are reexposed as retrieval cues at test (e.g., BIRD-m___), a procedure often used in research on the effects of selective retrieval. Two lag conditions were employed in this study: a short 1-min lag between study and selective retrieval, and a longer 15-min lag that included mental context change tasks to enhance the lag-induced contextual drift. Experiment1 employed lists of unrelated items in the absence of any category labels and replicated both the detrimental effect (after short lag) and the beneficial effect (after long lag) of selective retrieval. Experiment1 was identical to Experiment1 but provided the items' category labels during both study and retrieval, and Experiment1 was identical to Experiment1 but employed a categorized list. In both experiments, selective retrieval impaired recall in both lag conditions, indicating a critical role of category labels for the effects of selective retrieval. The results of the three experiments are consistent with a two-factor explanation of selective retrieval and the proposal that reexposure of category labels during retrieval can reinstate study context after longer lag.