Antonovo 2011

Question 1

Aim:

Answer 1

Investigate the role of Acetylcholine in the encoding and retrieval of memories.

Question 2

Sample

Answer 2

20 male adults

Question 3

Procedure

Answer 3

Double blind procedure where participants were randomly allocated to one of two conditions. They were either injected with Scopolamine or a placebo shortly before taking part in the “Area task”. While connected to an fMRI, they played the Arena game which allowed researchers to test spatial memory since it involved participants navigating around an area to find a pole. After they learned where the pole is located, the would go blank and then participants would appear at a different starting position in the game. This was done six times. Participants returned 3 - 4 weeks later and redid test - receiving the opposite injection to the original study (repeated meaures design).

Question 4

Findings

Answer 4

When a participant was injected with scopolamine, they demonstrated a significant reduction in the activation of the hippocampus compared to when they received a placebo. It appears that ACh can play a key role the encoding of spatial memories in humans.

Question 5

2 pros, 2 cons

Answer 5

• Double blind procedure controlled for researcher bias increasing internal validity
• Participant variability was controlled for because of repeated measures design helping to increase internal validity
• Sample size was small (20) reducing generalizability and external validity
• Sample size also raises concerns about reliability of results until replicated