Module Code: HRPYC81
Project: 4813
Assignment number: 61
Unique Number: 726267
Surname and initials: De Beer, CM
Student Number: 14759764
, Table of content
Introduction.................................................................................................................. 1
Section A........................................................................................................................1
New finding on human memory.............................................................................. 1
Section B........................................................................................................................3
Magnetoencephalography (MEG)........................................................................... 3
Computerised axial tomography (CT/CAT............................................................. 4
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) ....................................................5
Positron emission tomography (PET)..................................................................... 6
Section C........................................................................................................................7
Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to study age-related effects
on short-term/working memory...............................................................................7
Conclusion...................................................................................................................10
References................................................................................................................... 11
Plagiarism Declaration ..............................................................................................15
, The Influence of Neuroimaging Technologies on Human Memory
Introduction
The theme of memory has been researched extensively over the last few years. Our
memories are important, it shapes the way we view our past and interpret our future,
and ultimately forms part of our being. The goal of this report, is to explain how
neuroimaging technologies can be used to investigate age-related changes in memory,
I will discuss new findings on human memory by giving a short overview of
magnetoencephalography (MEG), computerised axial tomography (CAT), functional
magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and positron emission tomography (PET). I will
also explain how I would conduct a memory research experiment to explore if there
are age-related differences in memory performance. This report will be divided into
three sections.
Section A
New findings on human memory
Memory is a complex process where the use of past experiences can affect our present
behavior, it is a intricate arrangement of neural connections, and is continuously
changing throughout our lifespan (Zhang, 2019). Different types of memory stores or
holds information in different parts of the brain, each playing an important part of our
cognitive function (Zhang, 2019). There are ample subdivisions of memory, but for
the purpose of this report, I will only be focusing on the relevant information on short
term memory (working memory). The importance of cognitive neuroscience in
memory became evident in the last decade, it highlighted how brain structures could
be used to gain a better understanding of memory (Sumrall et al., 2016), and enable
researchers to note dissimilarities in our memory performances (Ofen et al., 2019).
The exploration of brain structures, and its importance to memory processes,
dominate current neuroscience research. Neuroimaging technologies gives researchers
the ability to understand the brain better and all the complex functions that goes along
with it (Morita et al., 2016). Understanding the anatomy behind memory can give
valuable insights on the effect brain structures have of memory (Harel & Ryan, 2020),
and it should be taken in to account that certain regions, have certain functions (Ward,
2020). The frontal lobe for example, plays a role in the organization of short-term
and long-term memory (Shaw, 2016). Structural decline in frontal brain regions in
1
Project: 4813
Assignment number: 61
Unique Number: 726267
Surname and initials: De Beer, CM
Student Number: 14759764
, Table of content
Introduction.................................................................................................................. 1
Section A........................................................................................................................1
New finding on human memory.............................................................................. 1
Section B........................................................................................................................3
Magnetoencephalography (MEG)........................................................................... 3
Computerised axial tomography (CT/CAT............................................................. 4
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) ....................................................5
Positron emission tomography (PET)..................................................................... 6
Section C........................................................................................................................7
Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to study age-related effects
on short-term/working memory...............................................................................7
Conclusion...................................................................................................................10
References................................................................................................................... 11
Plagiarism Declaration ..............................................................................................15
, The Influence of Neuroimaging Technologies on Human Memory
Introduction
The theme of memory has been researched extensively over the last few years. Our
memories are important, it shapes the way we view our past and interpret our future,
and ultimately forms part of our being. The goal of this report, is to explain how
neuroimaging technologies can be used to investigate age-related changes in memory,
I will discuss new findings on human memory by giving a short overview of
magnetoencephalography (MEG), computerised axial tomography (CAT), functional
magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and positron emission tomography (PET). I will
also explain how I would conduct a memory research experiment to explore if there
are age-related differences in memory performance. This report will be divided into
three sections.
Section A
New findings on human memory
Memory is a complex process where the use of past experiences can affect our present
behavior, it is a intricate arrangement of neural connections, and is continuously
changing throughout our lifespan (Zhang, 2019). Different types of memory stores or
holds information in different parts of the brain, each playing an important part of our
cognitive function (Zhang, 2019). There are ample subdivisions of memory, but for
the purpose of this report, I will only be focusing on the relevant information on short
term memory (working memory). The importance of cognitive neuroscience in
memory became evident in the last decade, it highlighted how brain structures could
be used to gain a better understanding of memory (Sumrall et al., 2016), and enable
researchers to note dissimilarities in our memory performances (Ofen et al., 2019).
The exploration of brain structures, and its importance to memory processes,
dominate current neuroscience research. Neuroimaging technologies gives researchers
the ability to understand the brain better and all the complex functions that goes along
with it (Morita et al., 2016). Understanding the anatomy behind memory can give
valuable insights on the effect brain structures have of memory (Harel & Ryan, 2020),
and it should be taken in to account that certain regions, have certain functions (Ward,
2020). The frontal lobe for example, plays a role in the organization of short-term
and long-term memory (Shaw, 2016). Structural decline in frontal brain regions in
1
