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506610-HS2025-0-Neurobiology of Forgetting





Root number 506610
Semester HS2025
Type of course Seminar
Allocation to subject Psychology
Type of exam Presentation
Title Neurobiology of Forgetting
Description This seminar explores the neurobiological foundations of forgetting. At its core lies the question of why we forget and which mechanisms underlie this process. Forgetting is a pervasive phenomenon in everyday life—we are constantly confronted with the natural loss of memories. This raises fundamental scientific questions: Why is forgetting an integral part of the human memory system? And why do our efforts to counteract it so often fall short? One possible answer is that forgetting does not represent a failure, but rather serves an adaptive function within the memory system.
We begin by engaging with the long-standing scientific debate on the nature of forgetting: Does it reflect a temporary retrieval failure of an existing memory trace (engram), or does it involve a complete erasure of the trace, leading to an irreversible loss of information? Addressing these questions requires a deep understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms that support memory—particularly the processes of encoding, (long-term) consolidation, retrieval, and reconsolidation. Only by examining these dynamics can we begin to understand when, where, and how memories are lost, and how these processes affect the neural representation of the engram in the brain.
In the final part of the seminar, we will examine how insights into forgetting can be applied and deepened through the study of clinical conditions such as amnesia and hypermnesia, as well as special cases such as age-related memory decline and infantile amnesia. We will also briefly explore current brain stimulation techniques aimed at enhancing memory function.
ILIAS-Link (Learning resource for course) Registrations are transmitted from CTS to ILIAS (no admission in ILIAS possible). ILIAS
Link to another web site
Lecturers Prof. Dr. Katharina Henke, Institute of Psychology, Further Research Groups ✉
Dr. Shawn Hiew, Institute of Psychology ✉
Konstantinos Ioannis Zervas, Institute of Psychology, Further Research Groups ✉
Benjamin Johannes Dominitz, Institute of Psychology, Further Research Groups ✉
ECTS 5
Recognition as optional course possible Yes
Grading 1 to 6
 
Dates Thursday 14:15-16:00 Weekly
 
Rooms Seminarraum B 305, Institutsgebäude vonRoll
 
Students please consult the detailed view for complete information on dates, rooms and planned podcasts.