Access Type
Open Access Thesis
Date of Award
January 2015
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.A.
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Noa Ofen
Abstract
The medial temporal lobe (MTL) and prefrontal cortex (PFC) are two key brain regions that support episodic memory formation in both children and adults, but the functional developmental of these regions remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the development of neural correlates of episodic memory formation using functional MRI with a subsequent memory paradigm, administered to a cross-sectional sample of 83 children and adults. We found that MTL subregions showed an age-related increase in activation supporting memory formation of complex scenes. In addition, a functionally defined scene-sensitive region in the posterior MTL also showed similar increase and predicted better memory for complex scenes. Within the PFC we found age-related increase in both activation and deactivation that support memory formation. Finally, we found age-related increase in the functional connectivity between dorsal lateral PFC and posterior MTL regions. Taken together, these findings suggest that the continued functional development of the MTL and the PFC is crucial for age-related improvements in memory.
Recommended Citation
Tang, Lingfei, "Neural Correlates Of Episodic Memory Formation In Children And Adults" (2015). Wayne State University Theses. 461.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_theses/461