An fMRI investigation of short-term source memory in young and older adults

Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and a working memory procedure, we compared source memory judgments (format and location) with old-new judgments in young and older adults. Consistent with previous fMRI findings, for young adults, an area of left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex showed greater activity during format than old-new judgments made immediately, as well as those made after a brief, filled delay. In contrast, for older adults, activity in this area was not greater during format than old-new judgments at either retention interval. These data provide additional evidence that left lateral prefrontal cortex is important in monitoring specific source information and new evidence that older adults' source memory deficits may be related, in part, to reduced function of this brain area.