Human brain keeps memories tidy by pruning inaccurate ones

By Kyle McKernan, Office of Communications on Jan. 8, 2015, noon
Play video:

Nicholas Turk-Browne, an associate professor of psychology, uses the example of a trip to a coffee shop to explain new research about the way the brain responds to inaccurate memories.

Related Stories

Video feature: Human brain keeps memories tidy by pruning inaccurate ones .

Your brain is a memory powerhouse, constantly recording experiences in long-term memory. But what happens when those memories are suddenly out of date? Research from Princeton University and the University of Texas-Austin offers the answer.

Princeton-Intel collaboration breaks new ground in studies of the brain .

A collaboration between researchers at Princeton and Intel has enabled rapid progress on the ability to decode digital brain data, scanned using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), to reveal how neural activity gives rise to learning, memory and other cognitive functions.

'Calder on Campus' .

Two sculptures by Alexander Calder are on display in front of the Princeton University Art Museum through June 15.

Real-time brain feedback reduces attention lapses .

Researchers at Princeton University have found that training people using real-time feedback from their own brain activity can reduce the frequency of attention lapses and improve their ability to sustain attention.

Slideshow: 'Looking Back: Reunions and Commencement 2014' .

Princeton University students, alumni and their families recently celebrated Reunions and graduation activities, filling campus with spirited displays of emotion. This video slideshow captures some of those moments.

Campus memorial service set for Kyllo .

A memorial service for freshman Khristin Kyllo is planned for 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20, in the Princeton University Chapel.

'Social Psychology' course helps students tackle questions from nonprofits .

Students in the course "Social Psychology" called on concepts from the course about the way people think about, feel and behave in social situations to tackle questions from a range of New Jersey nonprofit groups.