[Self-reference effect and episodic memory in normal aging and Alzheimer's disease: myth or reality?]

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Neurobiology

Context:

• The Self is a dynamic structure of self-referent cognitive processes and memory representations.
• Existing literature indicates a significant benefit of self-referencing on memory processes.
• The self-reference effect (SRE) is a well-documented cognitive phenomenon.

Purpose:

• To explore the relationship between the Self and memory processes.
• To review the self-reference effect (SRE) on memory and its neural basis in different age groups.
• To investigate the persistence of the SRE in early Alzheimer's disease.

Summary:

• Self-referencing information enhances episodic memory encoding and retrieval by leveraging preexisting self-knowledge and activating self-schemas.
• Self-referencing influences the subjective experience of remembering through autonoetic consciousness.
• Neural correlates involve cortical midline structures, including prefrontal, cingular, and parietal cortices.

Impact:

• The SRE demonstrates persistence in early-stage Alzheimer's disease, despite memory deficits and altered identity.
• Findings suggest potential applications of self-referencing for developing non-medical memory therapies.
• Understanding the SRE offers insights into memory, self-processing, and neurodegenerative conditions.