Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Accept all cookies Reject all non-essential cookies Find out more

BEACON Seminar: Neural Replay Mechanisms Associated With Planning And Memory In Humans

Elliott Wimmer, The Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research

Tuesday, 06 June 2023, 1pm to 2pm

Hosted by Marco Wittmann

ABSTRACT

Theories of neural replay propose that it supports a range of functions, most prominently planning and memory consolidation. Here, we test whether distinct signatures of replay in the same task are related to planning and memory preservation. We adapted a reward learning task wherein participants utilized structure knowledge for model-based evaluation, while at the same time had to maintain knowledge of two independent and randomly alternating task environments. We found that before choice, prospective replay strength was enhanced for the current task-relevant environment when a model-based planning strategy was beneficial. Following reward receipt, and consistent with a memory preservation role, replay for the alternative distal task environment was enhanced as a function of decreasing recency of experience with that environment. Our results provide support for key theoretical proposals regarding the functional role of replay and demonstrate that the relative strength of planning and memory-related signals are modulated by ongoing computational and task demands.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Find out more about the speaker at G. Elliott Wimmer | Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research (mpg.de)

The seminar will take place in person only at the Department of Experimental Psychology, New Radcliffe House (Seminar Room, 2nd Floor), Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Oxford OX2 6GG. Please contact Marco Wittmann (marco.wittmann@psy.ox.ac.uk) if you would like to set up a meeting with the speaker.

If you have suggestions for future speakers, please contact Lauren (lauren.burgeno@dpag.ox.ac.uk), or Nima (nima.khalighinejad@psy.ox.ac.uk). They are also looking for postdocs to help coordinate future BEACON Seminars.  Please get in touch if you are interested In joining the BEACON planning committee.