How curiosity enhances hippocampus-dependent memory

Curiosity enhances learning, but despite the importance of curiosity in real life, we do not have a precise understanding of the mechanisms in the brain that support curiosity and curiosity-based learning.

I will use complementary neuroimaging methods to investigate which brain mechanisms support curiosity-related memory enhancements. I will focus on the brain mechanisms during the exact time periods when we are in a ‘curiosity state’: when we highly anticipate information; when we learn the actual high-curiosity information; and when our brain consolidates curiosity-related information (i.e. during rest periods while awake and during sleep).

Understanding the precise neural mechanisms underlying curiosity will help us to better spark curiosity in real life.