应激下人类情景记忆巩固的神经重放机制

The neural replay mechanisms of episodic memory consolidation under stress in humans

记忆巩固通常在记忆编码后的休息或睡眠期间缓慢发生。然而,在应激状态下,记忆有可能被快速巩固。鉴于长期以来缺乏对人类记忆巩固期神经活动的量化方法,应激状态下记忆快速巩固的机制尚未明确。本研究拟采用计算神经科学手段,详细刻画应激状态下人类情景记忆巩固期的神经重放过程。此外,我们还将整合认知心理学、脑成像技术、机器学习、神经内分泌调控、应激诱发及生理生化检测等跨学科方法,来验证应激对神经重放的“双刃剑”效应假说:尽管应激可能会加快神经重放的速度,促进记忆巩固,但它同时也可能会降低神经重放的准确性并干扰其顺序。本研究将:(1)比较应激和非应激状态下神经重放的多维特征差异;(2)探寻应激状态下神经重放与记忆提取和编码的交互作用;(3)尝试利用神经内分泌和环境策略来调控人类的应激反应,进而影响神经重放。本研究能够有助于确定促进记忆巩固的理想大脑状态,并整合人类和动物的神经重放研究。同时,本研究还可能为保护应激状态下的情景记忆功能,以及干预应激类精神疾病中的记忆障碍提供全新策略。

Memory consolidation typically occurs slowly during rest or sleep periods following memory encoding.Under stress,though,the consolidation of memories may accelerate considerably.The mechanisms underlying this rapid memory consolidation in stressful circumstances remain unclear,primarily due to the longstanding absence of quantitative methodologies for investigating the neural activities during the human memory consolidation.This research aims to employ computational neuroscience techniques to meticulously characterize neural replay during the consolidation of episodic memory under stress.Specifically,we propose an integrated approach involving cognitive psychology,neuroimaging,machine learning,neuroendocrine regulation,stress induction,and physiological and neuroendocrine assessments to examine the'double-edged sword'hypothesis related to stress and neural replay.Although stress might hasten the rate of neural replay,thereby facilitating memory consolidation,it could simultaneously compromise the accuracy of neural replay and disrupt its sequentiality.Our study will:(1)juxtapose the multi-dimensional characteristics of neural replay under stress and non-stress conditions;(2)probe the interplay between neural replay and memory retrieval and encoding in stressful conditions;and(3)strive to employ neuroendocrine and environmental tactics to modulate human stress responses,which in turn could influence neural replay during consolidation.The implications of this research are twofold:it could help identify the optimal brain state to enhance memory consolidation and bridge the gap between human and animal studies on neural replay.At the same time,it could illuminate new strategies for preserving episodic memory function under stress and intervening in memory deficits seen in stress-associated psychiatric disorders.