Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 20, 2026

Examining the Characteristics of Episodic Memory using Event-related Potentials in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease
Published on: August 30, 2011
Brain activation during encoding and recognition of verbal and figural information in older adults
L L Beason-Held1, S Golski, M A Kraut
1Laboratory of Personality and Cognition, National Institute on Aging, NIH, NIA/LPC, 5600 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224-6825, USA. heldlo@grc.nia.nih.gov
Abstract:
Positron emission tomography (PET) patterns of cerebral blood flow associated with verbal and figural memory are described in relation to their value as functional probes for studying longitudinal changes that occur in the aging brain. Relative to a matching control task, verbal and figural encoding increase blood flow in prefrontal cortex (PFC), anterior cingulate, insular, lateral and medial temporal, occipital cortex and the cerebellum. Additionally, medial temporal regions exhibited greater activity during figural encoding relative to verbal encoding. During recognition, blood flow increases in prefrontal, cingulate, insular, and lateral temporal and Broca's areas. Analysis of hemispheric asymmetry reveals that the prefrontal cortex exhibits regionally dependent results. Prefrontal region BA 10 demonstrates more bilateral activation during encoding and retrieval, whereas BA 46 shows right greater than left activation during both encoding and retrieval. Overall, the two tasks activate diverse regions within the frontal, temporal and occipital lobes of the brain, including areas that show age-related structural changes, proving their usefulness in the longitudinal assessment of brain function in the elderly.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Association Areas of the Cortex
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
Encoding
Automatic processing involves the encoding of details like time, space, frequency, and the meaning of words, usually done without conscious...
Cognitive Development During Adulthood
Higher Mental Functions of Brain: Learning and Memory

