Interaction between attentional systems and episodic memory encoding: the impact of conflict on binding of information

Abstract

Episodic memory (EM) is defined as a long-term memory system that stores information that can be retrieved along with details of the context of the original events (binding). Several studies have shown that manipulation of attention during encoding can impact subsequent memory performance. An influential model of attention distinguishes between three partially independent attentional networks: the alerting, the orienting and the executive or conflict resolution component. To date, the impact of the engagement of these sub-systems during encoding on item and relational context binding has not been investigated. Here, we developed a new task combining the Attentional Network Test and an incidental episodic memory encoding task to study this issue. We reported that when the alerting network was not solicited, resolving conflict hindered item encoding. Moreover, resolving conflict, independently of the cueing condition, had a negative impact on context binding. These novel findings could have a potential impact in the understanding EM formation, and memory disorders in different populations, including healthy elderly people.

Evidences for better recall of congruent items in episodic memory

“…As explained, these two sets of results are commonly obtained from research inspired in two separate theoretical approaches, both differing in the definition and measure of episodic memory. The observation of better memory for congruent objects (Sperduti et al 2017 ) generally comes from research considering episodic memory as a long-term memory effect (several minutes) in which multiple features are bound together, similar to the concept that we use in this paper. Conversely, studies finding better memory for incongruent items tend to not measure episodic memory per se, and instead infer a process of episodic retrieval to explain performance in priming tasks.…”

“…As explained, these two sets of results are commonly obtained from research inspired in two separate theoretical approaches, both differing in the definition and measure of episodic memory. The observation of better memory for congruent objects (Sperduti et al 2017) generally comes…”

“…Those studies focused only on targets and did not test memory of distractors. On the contrary, better episodic memory has been found for congruent objects when compared to incongruent ones (Moeller and Frings 2014b ; Sperduti et al 2017 ), although distractor and target measures have not always been registered separately. As explained, these two sets of results are commonly obtained from research inspired in two separate theoretical approaches, both differing in the definition and measure of episodic memory.…”

“…Using the Attentional Network Test, some authors have recently found that response compatible items during encoding were more easily bound to their contexts than incompatible ones. These benefits were observed in a subsequent recognition test that analyzed memory of the object, of the spatial location and of the condition (compatible/incompatible) in which it appeared (Sperduti et al 2017 ). These results are interesting because they reveal that binding processes taking place in short-term memory but due to attentional mechanisms they can have long-term memory effects.…”

Validation of the Chinese version of the memory binding test for distinguishing amnestic mild cognitive impairment from cognitively normal elderly individuals

“…color, shape, word) into a complex memory unit (Tulving, 2002). It represents a core feature of episodic memory (Meiser et al, 2008;Sperduti et al, 2017). Several previous studies have suggested that the hippocampus and the adjacent medial temporal lobe (MTL) structures play a crucial role in binding memory (Konkel et al, 2008;Mayes et al, 2007;Pertzov et al, 2013).…”