Dartmouth Events

Title: Threat-related arousal disrupts memory cohesion

Abstract:

A long history of emotional memory research shows memory enhancements for arousing versus mundane information. The majority of this work has focused on memory accuracy, with less attention paid to the form and structure of memory. In this talk, I will provide evidence for a model by which threat-induced arousal biases memory away from hippocampal-based representations and towards cortical representations, resulting in decontextualized representations of our environment that over-represent salient information. In the first part of the talk, I will discuss my prior research detailing arousal-based biases in MTL engagement in the context of motivated memory. Then I will present new research from our lab extending this work into clinical and naturalistic domains.

**Closed captions and/or ASL interpretation provided for this talk

About Us:

The Center for Cognitive Neuroscience at Dartmouth has launched a new seminar series, Innovators in Cognitive Neuroscience. This seminar series is devoted to highlighting innovative advances in cognitive neuroscience. The seminar series also is dedicated to leveraging science as a vehicle for social justice. Through this seminar series we hope to recognize outstanding research conducted by historically underrepresented groups (HURG) in Cognitive Neuroscience and related fields, including women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and individuals/people with disabilities. Innovators in Cognitive Neuroscience is a collaboration between Dartmouth College, University of Pennsylvania, Yale University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Princeton University, Harvard University, Columbia University, and Gallaudet University. It is funded by the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience at Dartmouth College.