States of Curiosity Modulate Hippocampus-dependent Learning Via the Dopaminergic Circuit

Overview

Journal Neuron

Publisher Cell Press

Specialty Neurology

Date 2014 Oct 7

PMID 25284006

Citations 143

Authors

Matthias J Gruber

Bernard D Gelman

Charan Ranganath

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

People find it easier to learn about topics that interest them, but little is known about the mechanisms by which intrinsic motivational states affect learning. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate how curiosity (intrinsic motivation to learn) influences memory. In both immediate and one-day-delayed memory tests, participants showed improved memory for information that they were curious about and for incidental material learned during states of high curiosity. Functional magnetic resonance imaging results revealed that activity in the midbrain and the nucleus accumbens was enhanced during states of high curiosity. Importantly, individual variability in curiosity-driven memory benefits for incidental material was supported by anticipatory activity in the midbrain and hippocampus and by functional connectivity between these regions. These findings suggest a link between the mechanisms supporting extrinsic reward motivation and intrinsic curiosity and highlight the importance of stimulating curiosity to create more effective learning experiences.

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