Antonova et al

Question 1

aim

Answer 1

to examine the role of ACh on memory by investigating the effect of scopolamine on hippocampal function, using fMRIs

Question 2

Procedure

Answer 2

used a sample of 20 healthy male adults with a mean age of 28 years old. Used double blind procedure and participants were randomly allocated to on of two conditions. They were injected with either scopolamine or a placebo. They were then placed in an fMRI while they were scanned while playing the ‘Arena task’. Complex virtual reality game in which participants are being observed on how they are able to create spatial memories. Goal is to navigate around an ‘arena’ with the goal of reaching a pole. Then screen would go blank for 30 seconds. Participants would have to use their spatial memory to determine how to get to the location of the pole.
6 trials in a single fMRI
Procedure was repeated 3-4 weeks later in which each participant received the other condition

Question 3

results

Answer 3

-When injected with scopolamine their accuracy significantly decreased
-When injected with scopolamine there was a significant reduction in the activation of the hippocampus

Question 3

Conclusion

Answer 3

-Blocking ACh receptors in the brain can affect spatial memory tasks in humans
-Concluded that scopolamine impairs learning of new information
-ACh plays a key role in the encoding of spatial memories in humans

Question 4

LINK

Answer 4

-Neurotransmitter ACh affects the human behaviour of memory
Decrease in memory functioning due to lower levels of ACh
-Those injected with a placebo had a more accurate memory as the neurotransmitter was able to bind to receptors of the postsynaptic neuron and trigger an action potential
-Those injected with scopolamine had a less accurate memory as the substance decreased the action of the neurotransmitter.

Question 5

strengths

Answer 5

• study standardised can be easily replicated and the reliabilty of the results can be tested .
• highly controlled increasing the internal validity of teh results.
• study is able to establish some causation between levels of ACh and spatial memories.

Question 6

Limitations

Answer 6

• lacks ecological validity as setting was highly controlled.
• Effect of neurotransmitters difficult to isolate.
• Complexity of these chemical interactions makes cause-effect difficult to establish
• Reductionist to understanding memory, several different types of memory and the process of memory consolidation is very complex.