A direct comparison of anterior prefrontal cortex involvement in episodic retrieval and integration

Retrieval of information from episodic memory reliably engages regions within the anterior prefrontal cortex (aPFC). This observation has led researchers to suggest that these regions may subserve processes intimately tied to episodic retrieval. However, the aPFC is also recruited by other complex tasks not requiring episodic retrieval. One hypothesis concerning these results is that episodic retrieval recruits a general cognitive process that is subserved by the aPFC. The current study tested a specific version of this hypothesis--namely, that the integration of internally represented information is this process. Event-related fMRI was employed in a 2 (memory task: encoding versus retrieval) x 2 (level of integration: low versus high) factorial within-subjects design. A functional dissociation was observed, with one aPFC subregion uniquely sensitive to level of integration and another jointly sensitive to level of integration and memory task. Analysis of event-related activation latencies indicated that level of integration and memory task effects occurred with significantly different timing. The results provide the first direct evidence regarding the functional specialization within lateral aPFC and the nature of its recruitment during complex cognitive tasks. Moreover, the study highlights the benefits of activation latency analysis for understanding functional contributions and dissociations between closely linked brain regions.