Editing Visual memory (section)

== Methods of study ==

=== Benton visual retention test ===
[[File:BVRT.JPG|thumb|An example of the Benton Visual Retention Test. The target [[Stimulus (physiology)|stimulus]] is presented at the top, after a delay participants are asked to recall the correct target stimulus from the list of design cards.]]

The [[Benton Visual Retention Test]] is an assessment of [[visual perception]], and visual memory [[Intelligence|abilities]].<ref name="Pearson">Benton visual retention test,® fifth edition. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.pearsonassessments.com/HAIWEB/Cultures/en-us/Productdetail.htm?Pid=015-8027-507&Mode=summary</ref> More than 50 years of proven clinical use is the staple of the Benton Visual Retention Test.<ref name="Pearson" /> This test has proven its [[Sensitivity and specificity|sensitivity]] to [[Reading disability|reading disabilities]], [[Nonverbal learning disorder|nonverbal learning disabilities]], [[traumatic brain injury]], [[Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder|attention-deficit disorder]], [[Alzheimer's disease|alzheimer's]], and other forms of [[dementia]].<ref name="Pearson" /> During testing participants are presented with 10 cards for 10 seconds with unique designs on each.<ref name="BVRT">{{cite journal |last1=Seo |first1=E. H. |last2=Lee |first2=D. Y. |last3=Choo |first3=I. H. |last4=Youn |first4=J. C. |last5=Kim |first5=K. W. |last6=Jhoo |first6=J. H. |last7=Suh |first7=K. W. |last8=Paek |first8=Y. S. |last9=Jun |first9=Y. H. |last10=Woo |first10=J. I. |title=Performance on the Benton Visual Retention Test in an Educationally Diverse Elderly Population |journal=The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences |date=2007 |volume=62 |issue=3 |pages=P191–P193 |doi=10.1093/geronb/62.3.p191 |pmid=17507588 |url=http://psychsocgerontology.oxfordjournals.org/content/62/3/P191.full.pdf |doi-access=free }}</ref> After the time has passed participants are asked to immediately reproduce the designs from each card using their visual memory.<ref name="BVRT" /> In the second stage participants are asked to copy each of the 10 card designs while the cards are in view.<ref name="BVRT" /> The participants results from each task are then assessed and placed into six categories; omissions, [[distortion]]s, preservations, [[rotation]]s, misplacements, and sizing errors.<ref name="BVRT" /> The further the participant's [[Test score|scores]] varies from the averages provided in the Benton Visual Retention Test manual the worse the participant is assessed to be on visual memory ability.<ref name="BVRT" /> The Benton Visual Retention Test has proved to be a generalizable test with the ability to be accurately administered to participants aged 8-adult,<ref name="Pearson" /> and no gender effect.<ref name="BVRT" /> Some studies have suggested a significant [[gender]] and [[education]] [[Interaction (statistics)|interaction]] indicating that an age-associated decline in visual memory performance may be more prominent for those individuals with a lower [[education]] level.<ref name="BVRT" />

=== Neuroimaging tests ===
[[File:Visual Memory Brain Imaging Test.jpg|thumb|left|An example of a colored [[Geometry|geometrical]] pattern a subject would [[Encoding (memory)|encode]], [[Storage (memory)|store]], and [[Recall (memory)|recall]] while performing a visual memory [[neuroimaging]] test.]]

[[Neuroimaging]] studies focus on the [[neural network]]s involved in visual [[memory]] using methods designed to activate brain areas involved in [[Encoding (memory)|encoding]], [[Storage (memory)|storage]], and [[Recall (memory)|recall]]. These studies involve the use of one or multiple types of [[Neuroimaging#Brain imaging techniques|brain imaging techniques]] designed to measure timing or activation within the brain. The data collected from neuroimaging studies gives researchers the ability to visualize which brain regions are activated in specific cognitive visual memory tasks. With the use of brain imaging devices researchers able to further investigate memory performance above and beyond standard tests based on exact response times, and activation.

==== Control condition ====
The subject's resting brain activation level is first determined in order to form a control or 'baseline' to measure from.<ref name="PET">{{cite journal |last1=Roland |first1=P. E. |last2=Gulyás |first2=Balazs |title=Visual Memory, Visual Imagery, and Visual Recognition of Large Field Patterns by the Human Brain: Functional Anatomy by Positron Emission Tomography |journal=Cerebral Cortex |date=1995 |volume=5 |issue=1 |pages=79–93 |doi=10.1093/cercor/5.1.79 |pmid=7719132 }}</ref> Subjects are blindfolded and instructed to lay motionless while simultaneously eliminating any visual imagery present in their [[mind's eye]].<ref name="PET" /> These instructions are intended to minimize the activation of brain regions involved in visual memory to form a true resting brain state.<ref name="PET" /> After the scan is complete a control has been formed which can be compared with activated regions of the brain while performing visual memory tasks.<ref name="PET" />

==== Activation condition ====
During encoding, participants are typically exposed to 1–10 visual patterns while connected to a brain imaging device.<ref name="PET2">{{cite journal | last1 = Vogel | first1 = E | last2 = Machizawa | first2 = M | year = 2004 | title = Neural activity predicts individual differences in visual working memory capacity | journal = Nature | volume = 428 | issue = 6984| pages = 748–751| doi=10.1038/nature02447| pmid = 15085132 | bibcode = 2004Natur.428..748V | s2cid = 4327158 }}</ref> As the subject encodes the visual patterns researchers are able to directly view the activation of areas involved in visual memory encoding.<ref name="PET" /> During recall subjects again need to have all visual stimuli removed by means of a dark room or blindfolding to avoid interfering activation of other visual areas in the brain.<ref name="PET" /> Subjects are asked to recall each image clearly in their mind's eye. While recalling the images researchers are able view the areas activated by the visual memory task. Comparing the control 'baseline' state to the activated areas during the visual memory task allows researchers to view which areas are used during visual memory.