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Retrieval search and strength evoke dissociable brain activity during episodic memory recall
Emilie T Reas1, James B Brewer
1University of California, San Diego, CA, USA.
Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience
|November 30, 2012
Summary
Neuroimaging reveals distinct brain networks for memory search and memory strength during recall. While memory strength activates frontoparietal regions, search deactivates default network areas.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Neuroimaging
- Human Brain Function
Background:
- Episodic memory retrieval involves frontal, parietal, and medial-temporal lobe activations.
- It is unclear if these activations reflect memory strength or retrieval processes like effort and search.
Purpose of the Study:
- To differentiate brain responses associated with memory search from those related to memory strength during cued recall.
Main Methods:
- Event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was employed.
- Participants performed cued recall of previously memorized word-pair associates.
Main Results:
- Search-related deactivations were found in the default network, separate from memory strength activations.
- Memory strength-dependent activations were observed in parietal and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (PFC).
- Dorsal anterior cingulate and anterior insula showed activity modulated by both search and strength.
Conclusions:
- Memory search and memory strength engage dissociable brain networks, specifically frontoparietal attention and default networks.
- These processes are highly correlated and share overlapping cognitive control mechanisms.
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