Understanding the intricacies of infant memory has long captivated researchers. While it’s a common experience to have limited recollection of our earliest years, new research sheds light on the workings of memory in babies, suggesting memories are formed but become inaccessible later in life.
New Research Illuminates Infant Memory Encoding
A recent study published in Science journal investigated memory encoding in infants. Researchers discovered that while babies do form memories, the ability to retrieve these early experiences evolves with age.
The study involved 26 infants, aged 4.2 to 24.9 months, categorized into younger (under 12 months) and older (12-24 months) groups. Scientists used functional MRI (fMRI) to observe brain activity as infants viewed novel images.
Innovative Methodology for Studying Infant Brain Activity
To overcome the challenges of studying active infants in an MRI machine, researchers developed a novel approach. Dr. Nick Turk-Browne from Yale University, the study’s lead author, explained that this method allowed them to conduct memory experiments with infants who are typically restless and have short attention spans. Prior research often relied on studies conducted while infants were asleep.
Dr. Simona Ghetti, an expert in childhood memory development from the University of California, Davis, noted the study’s significance in linking memory encoding to hippocampal activation, a novel contribution beyond simply demonstrating infants’ capacity to form memories.
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Key Findings: Hippocampal Activation and Memory Recall
During the experiment, infants were shown pairs of images – one familiar, previously viewed image, and one new image. Researchers monitored eye movements to determine recognition. Longer gaze duration at the familiar image indicated memory recognition.
Analysis of fMRI data revealed that the hippocampus, a brain region crucial for memory, exhibited greater activity in older infants during memory encoding. Furthermore, the orbitofrontal cortex, associated with decision-making and recognition related to memory, was active exclusively in the older infant group.
Dr. Lila Davachi of Columbia University, commenting on the findings, highlighted the study’s achievement in demonstrating hippocampal encoding in infants for stimuli that might not be inherently significant to them. She noted that adult memory often prioritizes encoding information perceived as highly relevant.
While the exact reasons for stronger memory encoding after 12 months remain under investigation, researchers suggest it is likely connected to substantial developmental changes occurring in the infant brain and body around this period.
Dr. Turk-Browne suggests that the inability to access early memories later in life may stem from the hippocampus not receiving the appropriate “search terms” to retrieve memories stored based on infant experiences. Ongoing research aims to further explore this aspect of memory retrieval.
Implications for Parents: Understanding Infant Development
Dr. Ghetti emphasizes that infancy is a critical period of learning and development, even if explicit memories from this time are inaccessible later. Infants are actively absorbing language, forming social expectations, and learning about the world around them.
Repetitive activities, such as singing songs or reading familiar books, can foster connection and familiarity for babies, as observed in older children’s responses to repetition, according to Dr. Davachi.
Although adults cannot consciously recall infant memories, these early experiences contribute to learning and development, shaping responses to both neutral and emotional information, Ghetti explained.
“Infancy is a period of intense learning, not passive waiting,” Ghetti stated. “Providing infants with ample opportunities for visual exploration can significantly support their developing learning abilities.”
Dr. Nick Turk-Browne (left) preparing a child participant and parent for an infant MRI study in the Brain Imaging Center (now BrainWorks) at Yale University in 2021. – 160/90