New Study Reveals How Emotions Enhance Memory Encoding

Research from the University of Chicago and collaborating institutes has uncovered how emotional arousal enhances memory encoding in the brain. Published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, the study highlights the increased communication between various brain networks during emotionally charged experiences, which may explain why individuals remember significant life events more vividly than mundane occurrences.

Past psychological research has demonstrated that people recall emotional moments—such as weddings, childbirth, or traumatic events—more clearly than neutral situations. While this connection between emotions and memory is well-established, the underlying neural mechanisms have been less understood. The recent study aimed to fill this gap by exploring how emotions contribute to the persistence of memories.

Investigating Neural Processes

Led by senior author Yuan Chang Leong, the researchers employed advanced brain imaging techniques along with computational models, specifically natural language processing (NLP) tools, to analyze existing datasets from previous experiments. These datasets included brain activity recordings from participants watching films or listening to narratives while their brain activity was monitored using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Participants were later prompted to recount what they had experienced, revealing that certain scenes elicited stronger emotional responses. For instance, intense moments, such as a character being caught in a compromising situation, were rated as more emotionally arousing. As noted by first author Jadyn Park, the researchers measured emotional intensity through behavioral ratings, pupil size, and assessments from AI models.

The findings indicated that when individuals experienced heightened emotional states, the coordination among different brain networks increased significantly. This enhanced synchronization predicted participants’ ability to remember the scenes more effectively.

A New Perspective on Memory

The results present a fresh interpretation of emotional memory. Rather than viewing it as a function of isolated brain regions, the study suggests that memory emerges from the coordinated action of multiple networks. Leong likened this interaction to an orchestra, where diverse sections collaborate to create a cohesive performance. “Arousal acts as the conductor, harmonizing their activity,” Leong explained.

The implications of this research are profound. A better understanding of how emotional experiences are encoded in memory could lead to new psychological interventions aimed at either enhancing or diminishing the way emotional events are remembered. “Our study could inspire strategies to manipulate network communication to influence how emotional events are encoded and maintained,” Leong suggested.

The team has also developed new computational tools that could aid future psychological research, particularly in studying personally meaningful autobiographical memories. Park emphasized that this study could pave the way for exploring how emotional experiences shape life stories and how interventions might target specific brain networks through techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) or pharmacological agents like beta blockers.

Overall, this research not only sheds light on the neural processes that underlie emotional memory but also opens avenues for future studies that may benefit individuals dealing with trauma or negative memories. The integration of emotional states and memory encoding could fundamentally alter our understanding of how memories are formed and retained.

For additional insights, refer to the original study by Jadyn S. Park et al., titled “Emotional arousal enhances narrative memories through functional integration of large-scale brain networks,” published in March 2025.