For almost ten years, a team from MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) has been investigating why certain images are more memorable to people than others. They aimed to map the brain activity involved in recognizing a visual image over time and space. By combining magnetoencephalography (MEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), researchers were able to pinpoint the exact timing and location of brain activity in response to a memorable image for the first time.
Their study, published in PLOS Biology, compared pairs of images with different memorability scores but the same concept. The images covered various categories like skateboarding, animals, objects, landscapes, urban scenes, and faces. The research revealed that a broader network of brain regions than previously known is involved in processing and retaining memorable images.
Lead author Benjamin Lahner, an MIT PhD student, explained that highly memorable images trigger stronger and longer-lasting brain responses, particularly in regions responsible for color perception and object recognition. The study suggests that understanding memorability could reshape our knowledge of memory formation and persistence, with potential applications in diagnosing and treating memory disorders.
The MEG/fMRI fusion method, developed by CSAIL, combines spatial and temporal brain dynamics to analyze neural responses to different images. With the help of machine learning, researchers created a detailed chart to visualize how the brain processes visual information in distinct regions at specific times.
The study’s focus on high and low memorability image pairs was critical in uncovering insights into memorability. Despite some limitations, the findings offer promising implications for early diagnosis and treatment of memory-related conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.
Collaborators on the paper include researchers from Western University and York University, with acknowledgments to funding from various sources. The research opens up new possibilities for personalized interventions in memory impairments, potentially improving patient outcomes.
Wilma Bainbridge, an assistant professor at the University of Chicago, praised the study for shedding light on the brain mechanisms underlying memory formation. The cortical signal identified by the researchers could be crucial in determining what information is retained in memory.
The team’s work provides valuable insights into the brain processes involved in memory formation and retrieval, with implications for future clinical advancements in memory-related disorders.
