This project will address the neural correlates of human spatial memory by using fMRI techniques to explore how people learn and remember information about spatial relationships under a variety of learning conditions. The behavioral literature has suggested a variety of difference processes within the realm of spatial learning and memory; this project is designed to explore those differences. Experiments 1 and 2 test the hypothesis that differences between route and survey spatial knowledge will be manifested in different brain activity during both learning and recollection. Experiment 3 explores spatial learning in different modalities by comparing brain activation during recollection after visual versus tactile learning. This experiment tests the hypothesis that learning in different modalities will produce different areas of brain activation during recollection. Experiments 4 and 5 focus on accessing information from memory based on orientation or heading in space. When a space is learned from particular orientations, memory can be tested for the learned orientations and novel orientations. These experiments test the hypothesis that brain activation for accessing familiar orientations can be distinguished from brain activation for accessing novel orientations. Together, these studies will extend our current knowledge of how spatial information is stored and accessed in the brain by indentifying neural correlates of spatial memory and its subprocesses. By exploring different facets of spatial experience a comprehensive and neurologically plausible model of spatial memory can be developed.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
1F32MH012638-01
Application #
6070222
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-BBBP-4 (01))
Program Officer
Chavez, Mark
Project Start
2000-02-28
Project End
Budget Start
2000-02-28
Budget End
2001-02-27
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2000
Total Cost
$30,916
Indirect Cost
Name
Stanford University
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
800771545
City
Stanford
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94305
Shelton, Amy L; McNamara, Timothy P (2004) Orientation and perspective dependence in route and survey learning. J Exp Psychol Learn Mem Cogn 30:158-70
Shelton, A L; McNamara, T P (2001) Systems of spatial reference in human memory. Cogn Psychol 43:274-310