Object Recognition Memory Essay

Words: 1626
Pages: 7

Introduction and Results While research has made immense progress in recent decades deciphering the structure and many functions of the brain, there is much left to learn on how memory works. Memory, namely spatial memory and object recognition memory, is thought to share a relationship with novelty. It found that when administered with clonidine, an α2 adrenergic receptor agonist, rats sought novel environments less frequently (Sara, Dyon-Laurent, & Hervé, 1995). This fit their hypothesis that novelty-seeking behaviour is governed by the noradrenergic system, with norepinephrine (NE) being the neurotransmitter involved in modulation. The brain structure responsible in the production of NE is known as the Locus Coeruleus (LC). While the LC …show more content…
Perhaps keeping the 24-hour interval but including a new interval (e.g. 18 hours) would find a threshold at which spatial memory using DMI could be extended. Using additional materials for the objects used in the object recognition task could potentially produce significant results. Work in this field provides the potential for the groundwork of research in treating individuals that have deficits/disorders in spatial memory and/or object recognition memory. For example, topographical disorientation has been the disorder given to patients who seem to have selectively lost the ability to find their way within their spatial environment (Aguirre, 1999). Our research could initiate interest in clinical trials to find a medication to help treat this problem. Additionally, research has found that recognition memory is impaired in depressed individuals, so perhaps our research on NE’s effect on object recognition memory could provide a “double-investigation” into treating deficits regarding objection recognition memory as well as mood disorders, such as depression (Brand, Jolles, & Wied,