As students, we spend a significant amount of our time learning new information and skills. The process of retaining information (memory consolation) is easier said than done. Students have been using many techniques to learn more efficiently, some examples include spaced repetition, mnemonics, clustering information, memory palaces/method of loci ect. Dr. Paller's and Dr. McNerney's (of Lawrence Livermore National laboratory) research illustrates two different methods that both improve memory consolidation.
Dr. Paller's papers discuss how memory consolidations can be reinforced through the process of Targeted memory reactivation through targeted memory Reactivation or TMR for short. Dr. Pak states that sleep is an important process and is integral in the process of memory formation; when people sleep portions of the brain (which are associated with specific memories) activates. This reactivation during sleep strengthens neuronal pathways. Dr. Paller states that this process could be further improved through the process of targeted memory Reactivation. TMR works by exposing an induvial to specific sensory cue while learning; the same sensory cue is presented while the individual are sleeping. It is important when using a stimulus such an audio cue, to play it at a volume where it will not disrupt the sleep of the individuals. In the experiments, researchers used an EEG to make sure that auditory stimulus did not disrupt the patients' sleep. In one experiment researchers wanted to test the efficacy of TMR for improving skill learning. First volunteers learned how to play two different melodies (on a keyboard). They were then told to sleep while one of the melodies that they have previously learned (for one group only). After waking up and performing the two melodies the researchers found that there was a 9 percent increase in the accuracy of the melody for patients that listened to a melody during their sleep compared to the 4 percent increase in the accuracy of the melody for patients who did not have any sound played while they slept. The results of this experiment show that TMR produced a significant improvement in memory consolidation. Dr. Paller believes that TMR could also increase the recovery rate of neuroplasticity of patients who suffered from neurological injury and help reverse maladaptive learning by amplifying the effects of exposure therapy (for people suffering from phobias for example).
Dr. McNerney's conducted experiments showing regular exercise improves memory consolidation in young patients. McNerney initially talks about many of the benefits of exercise which includes both neurological and physiological benefits. These include better cardiovascular health, reduction brain tissue loss, the release of neurotransmitters (such as epinephrine and norepinephrine), ect. Dr. McNerney mentions that there are experiments on mice which investigated the relationship between exercise and memory consolidation. The study found to increases some forms of memory including free recall task. In McNerney's study, she created two different experiments that tested 3 different types of memory task: procedural learning, text memory, and pair associate learning. The exercise in the experiments involved several sets of two-minute sprints with a three-minute break in between them. The results of both of the test indicated that there was a positive increase in the learning efficiency for procedural memory and situational memory. But there was no increase in pair associate learning. This shows that exercise helps with specific types of memory only.
The results of the both these two studies are extremely promising because they both find two very distinct methods that both result in an increase in memory consolidation. The best part about these studies is they are very easy to apply to your everyday life. From Dr. Paller's study, one can listen to quiet musical tones or white noise while studying, then they could listen to the music while sleeping. Dr. McNerney's study shows another reason that students should exercise more frequently. These two methods are another tool students (and everyone else) can use to maximize their studying efficiency
Works Cited
Mcnerney, M., & Radvansky, G. (2014). Mind racing: The influence of exercise on long-term memory consolidation. Memory, 1-12.
Paller, K. (2017). Sleeping in a Brave New World: Opportunities for Improving Learning and Clinical Outcomes Through Targeted Memory Reactivation. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 26(6), 532-537.
By Pavan Sreerama
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