Mechanisms of learning and memory in the human brain v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigation of memory-related brain processes using intracranial electroencephalography in pre-surgical epilepsy patients.
IRAS ID
166494
Contact name
Bernhard Staresina
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research Governance and Ethics
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Episodic memory, our remarkable ability to mentally relive past events and experiences, lies at the core of human cognition. Not only do our episodic memories allow us to reminisce about the past, but they also provide a coherent sense of the self and guide adaptive behaviour for future challenges. The key brain region for episodic memory is the medial temporal lobe (MTL), where neural processes unfold over the course of milliseconds. Conventional neuroimaging methods currently lack the spatial and/or temporal resolution to capture memory processes in the MTL.
Intracranial EEG (iEEG), i.e., electrophysiological recordings obtained via depth electrodes routinely implanted in pre-surgical epilepsy patients, therefore constitutes a unique and much needed method for understanding the precise mechanisms of the MTL memory system. In particular, in cases of medically intractable epilepsy, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Neurosurgery Department may choose to chronically implant electrodes for up to two weeks in order to precisely localize (and subsequently resect) the epileptic focus. During this period, the proposed research would involve patients participating in simple memory experiments, e.g., reading a list of words on a laptop computer and later being asked to recall the words. One experiment typically lasts 30-45 minutes and will be conducted according to the patient’s interest and motivation. It is important to emphasize that the electrode implantation is guided entirely by clinical considerations and that the research experiments would put no physical or psychological stressors on patients.
The insights gleaned from iEEG studies are of tremendous value to the scientific community and the public. There is no better way to understand the mechanisms with which the brain supports memory processes, which will open the door for devising optimal learning strategies, for improving therapeutic interventions after brain injury, and for effectively targeting the regions prone to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/EM/0182
Date of REC Opinion
8 May 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion