Assessment of Cognitive Function: Exploration of Memory Processing to Topographical Mapping Techniques

Human memory function has been the subject of intensive study. Nevertheless, little is known as to how the brain integrates its operations during the learning process so that an individual memory can “stamp its image” during recollection or recall. Electrophysiological approaches hold great promise in helping to unlock some of the mysteries of memory processing. While behavioral, lesion (e.g., clinical case studies), and laboratory studies such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography (CT), and positron emission tomography (PET) can be very helpful, only physiological studies can directly measure changes in brain activity in real time, that is associated with the various operational stages of mnemonic function. The focus here was on what we think to be one of the more interesting aspects of human memory—the “proactive interference” effect.

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