Neuroimaging in Human Memory: Linking cognitive processes to neural systems

In looking at the close interaction between neuroimaging research and psychological theories of human memory, this book presents a state-of-the-art exploration of imaging research on human memory, along with accounts of the significance of these findings with regard to fundamental psychological questions. The book starts with a summary of some of the conceptual problems we face in understanding neuroimaging data. It then looks at the four areas of human memory research that have been most intensively studied with modern brain imaging tools - Learning and consolidation, Working memory control processes and storage, Long-term memory representations, and Retrieval control processes. Throughout, the book shows how brain imaging methods, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG), can help us increase our knowledge of how human memory is organized, how memory representations are stored, consolidated and retrieved, and how access to memory contents is controlled. With all chapters written by leading researchers in the field, the book will be essential for all those interested in the psychology and neuroscience of memory.

In the past 20 years, neuroimaging has provided us with a wealth of data regarding human memory. However, to what extent can neuroimaging constrain, support or falsify psychological theories of memory? To what degree is research on the biological bases of memory actually guided by psychological theory?

In looking at the close interaction between neuroimaging research and psychological theories of human memory, this book presents a state-of-the-art exploration of imaging research on human memory, along with accounts of the significance of these findings with regard to fundamental psychological questions. The book starts with a summary of some of the conceptual problems we face in understanding neuroimaging data. It then looks at the four areas of human memory research that have been most intensively studied with modern brain imaging tools - Learning and consolidation, Working memory control processes and storage, Long-term memory representations, and Retrieval control processes. Throughout, the book shows how brain imaging methods, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG), can help us increase our knowledge of how human memory is organized, how memory representations are stored, consolidated and retrieved, and how access to memory contents is controlled. With all chapters written by leading researchers in the field, the book will be essential for all those interested in the psychology and neuroscience of memory.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Christopher J. Graver, PhD(Madigan Army Medical Center)
Description:With the advent of functional neuroimaging, especially noninvasive fMRI, we are now able to link brain function to observable behavior. This book explores the intersection of functional neuroimaging and cognitive psychology to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms of human memory.
Purpose:The aim of this book is to cogently gather and convey the scientific literature on the neuroimaging of human memory and explore its relevance to psychological theory and knowledge. It is not intended to tackle the philosophical debate of the usefulness of neuroimaging to cognitive psychology.
Audience:This is appropriate for neuroscientists, cognitive psychologists, and others interested in neuroimaging and cognition. It is also appropriate for students of these disciplines. The editors and authors are established researchers in the field and amply qualified to provide the perspectives and information they do.
Features:The book wastes no time delving into neuroimaging issues replete with colorful and detailed functional neuroimaging figures. The information is presented in a manner designed to teach, rather than merely convey the message. Using simple and easy to grasp analogies early on ensures readers are keeping up with an area that can be complicated. Topics range from working memory to control processes during encoding to long-term consolidation. There is an in-depth and sophisticated look at each topic, including dissociation and reverse association evidence. As the title purports, there is integration with cognitive psychology models and support or lack thereof for these models with neuroimaging evidence. Sections are clearly laid out and each chapter ends with concluding remarks. References are relevant and current, with many from the last few years.
Assessment:This is a well written account of the intersection of cognitive psychology and functional neuroimaging that leaves little doubt as to how far we have come in our understanding of human memory and the amazing potential yet to be realized when these approaches work together. To spend a few days paging through this book is an edifying experience.

Frank Rösler received his Dr. phil in 1976 and the grade of a Dr. phil. habil. in 1982 both from Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel (Germany). He held academic positions at the Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel (1973-1986); the University of Hamburg (1983, 1985) and at Philipps-University Marburg (from1986 until the present). He spent short and long-term research visits in the US, in Australia and in the Netherlands. His research was awarded with the university prize of Christian-Albrechts University Kiel (1977), the Wilhelm-Wundt Medal of the German Psychological Society (DGPs, 2000) and the Max-Planck-Prize for international cooperation (2002). Frank Rösler is full member of Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences (BBAW) and of the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. His research interests focus on experimental psychology and cognitive neuroscience, in particular on studies of memory, executive functions, language, and neuronal plasticity employing EEG-ERP and fMRI measures.
Brigitte Röder received her Dr. rer nat (equiv. to a Ph.D.) in 1996 from the Philipps-University of Marburg (Germany). As a postdoc she visited the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience (H.J. Neville), University of Oregon, Eugene (U.S.) from 1995 to 1997. Brigitte Röderwas the head of a junior research group from 1999 to 2003. Since 2003 Brigitte Röder has been a full professor for Biological Psychology and Neuropsychology at the University of Hamburg. For her scientific achievements she received awards of the German Society of Psychology, the Academy of Sciences (Goettingen) and European Society for Psychophysiology. Since 2007 Brigitte Röder has been a full member of the Academy of Science in Hamburg. Her main research interests are multisensory processing and neuroplasticity as a consequence of learning and sensory deprivation. Methods include behavioral and electrophysiological measures as well as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Rainer H. Kluwe studied Psychology at the Universities of Erlangen and Trier; 1971 Diploma in Psychology; 1975 Dr. phil. University of Trier; 1981 Dr. phil. habil. Ludwig-Maximilian-University of Munich; Academic positions from 1972 until 1980 at the University of Kiel and the Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich; since 1981 Professor of Psychology at the Helmut Schmidt University Hamburg; 1987 head of the Institute for Cognitive Research. 1978 - 1979 Research fellow Department of Psychology, Stanford University, CA., USA, funded by Foundation VW; Oct-Dec 1989 Visiting Professor Department of Experimental Psychology; Oxford University, UK and Visiting Fellow Wolfson College. Research interests: metacognition, working memory; 2002-2008 Priority program on executive control together with B. Hommel (Leiden) and I. Daum (Bochum) funded by the German Research Society.