Brain scans reveal how collective memory rewires personal recall

NCT ID NCT02172677

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This study uses fMRI to examine how collective cultural memories—like shared knowledge of World War II—influence individual memory recall. Twenty-seven healthy adults who recently visited a war memorial will have their brain activity recorded while remembering pictures from the tour. The goal is to understand how shared schemas reorganize personal memories, without testing any treatment.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

What this could lead to
If successful, this could reveal how collective knowledge influences personal memory formation, potentially informing education or therapy.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-stage observational study with only 27 participants, so results may not apply broadly. It measures brain activity, not treatment outcomes.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • GIP Cyceron

    Caen, 14074, France

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