Abstract The connection between hippocampus-dependent learning and the novelty of a previously experienced environment has been investigated through animal research for a longer time. In rodents,...Show moreAbstract The connection between hippocampus-dependent learning and the novelty of a previously experienced environment has been investigated through animal research for a longer time. In rodents, it was found that they showed theta band power while encoding memories, during the initiation of explorative movements. But there has been a scarcity of research looking at these connections in humans. This study aims to investigate the associations between memory types (landmark memory, as well as recall and recognition on an unrelated word learning task) and familiarity of the environment as well as theta bands in the brain. Thirteen men and women took part in this three-day EEG study. On the first day, participant first explored one environment during the exploration phase and later explored another time an environment that was either the same as before (familiar) or a new (novel) environment. On day two, they were then exposed to a new environment (novel condition), if they have seen two times the same environment on day 1, or to an environment that they have already seen on day 1(familiar condition) if they saw two different environments on day 1. On both days they had to complete a landmark memory, recall, and recognition task. On days two and three the participants did a delayed recall and recognition task. The EEG was used during all tasks on days one and two. The results showed that landmark memory was not affected by the novelty of the environment (p = .812). Word recall was also not affected by the novelty of the environment (p = .400), and neither was recognition (p = .227). There was more theta band power during the novel environment exploration than during the familiar environment measured (p < .001). Theta bands were not correlated with recall (p = .783) or landmark memory (p = .231). This study had a small sample, no cultural diversity, and a strict theta band inclusion criterion. Because of that, the results should be interpreted with caution and further studies should include a bigger sample, with different cultures, and perhaps a wider theta frequency spectrum. This study could help closing the gap between animal and human research, as well as create tools to assist people with learning difficulties.Show less
Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent mental health problems affecting nearly 30 % of adults at some point in their life. Anxiety has detrimental consequences on one's wellbeing. While...Show moreAnxiety disorders are among the most prevalent mental health problems affecting nearly 30 % of adults at some point in their life. Anxiety has detrimental consequences on one's wellbeing. While contemporary treatments have proven effective, relapse rates are very high. In fact, anxiety rates have remained the same in previous years, which highlights the pressing need to develop new treatments that are more effective and durable. Recent studies suggested a positive role of novelty in fear extinction and potential application of this in the clinical field of anxiety and related disorders. It has also been suggested that individual traits and differences in internal states have consequences on fear extinction. Perceived stress (PSS), which is the individual's appraisal of a particular situation as stressful, is highly correlated with anxiety disorders; however, no previous studies investigated the effect of PSS on novelty-facilitated fear extinction. The current study included a total of 60 participants and employed a fear conditioning paradigm with fearful, neutral, and control stimuli. Fear extinction was achieved by repeatedly presenting the conditioned stimuli alone (i.e., standard extinction) or by using replacement stimuli (i.e., novel or familiar). We assessed the role of novelty in fear extinction by comparing pupil sizes in response to the conditioned stimuli. We hypothesized that novelty would yield greater fear extinction as compared to standard extinction and extinction using familiarity. We also hypothesized that the effect of novelty on fear extinction would be durable. In line with previous studies, fear extinction using novelty was more pronounced than standard extinction and extinction using familiarity as assessed by smaller pupil size. In contrast to our expectations, no significant impact of novelty was found in a post-extinction phase (approx. one day after extinction). This study further investigated the role of perceived stress in novelty-facilitated fear extinction. We hypothesized a negative correlation between perceived stress (PSS) and novelty-facilitated fear extinction. Correlation analysis did not reveal any relationship between PSS and novelty-facilitated fear extinction. Future studies should aim to deepen our understanding of the mechanism underlying fear extinction by exploring other mental states and individual differences that might mediate the role of novelty in fear extinction.Show less
The two most common types of mindfulness are open monitoring (OM) meditation, describing the awareness of internal and external states, and focused attention (FA) meditation, when one fixates on a...Show moreThe two most common types of mindfulness are open monitoring (OM) meditation, describing the awareness of internal and external states, and focused attention (FA) meditation, when one fixates on a single stimulus while avoiding distractions. The effects of mindfulness have been well explored and show many beneficial effects. Theta oscillations, associated with learning and memory, increase during OM meditation. Mindfulness is also positively correlated with the trait novelty seeking, as well as openness to experience (OTE). In previous studies, these three variables have been found to interact. The influence of mindfulness on exploratory behaviour has not yet been explored, and research suggests that mindfulness may increase such behaviour. A sample of 39 participants took part in the current study, which was conducted over two consecutive days. Participants received a brief mindfulness intervention on day one or two, after which they explored either a familiar or novel virtual environment. Electroencephalogram (EEG) measures were recorded throughout. Theta power was found to be higher during the OM meditation compared to the control condition, eyes open at rest, suggesting that the current mindfulness intervention was successful in eliciting a mindfulness state by altering the levels of theta power in the brain. Regarding exploratory behaviour, no significant difference was found between those who experienced the meditation and those who did not. Additionally, no difference was found in terms of exploratory behaviour between those in the novel or familiar environment, after receiving the mindfulness intervention. Some reasons for this may be the nature of the mindfulness intervention being brief or not targeted enough at novelty. Further research avenues include exploring additional brain rhythm fluctuations during OM meditation, the influence of different experience levels with mindfulness on different behaviours, as well as whether age affects the influence mindfulness has on exploration behaviour and novelty.Show less
