The posterior parietal cortex and subjectively perceived confidence during memory retrieval.

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Neuroimaging

Background:

• The left angular gyrus (AG) is implicated in memory recognition by functional neuroimaging.
• Neuropsychological and TMS studies yield inconclusive results on the AG's role in recollection, familiarity, and memory confidence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the specific contribution of the left AG to memory recognition processes using inhibitory TMS.
• To explore the impact of left AG stimulation on recollection, familiarity, and subjective memory confidence.

Main Methods:

• A single-blind, within-subject controlled study involving 20 healthy participants.
• Neuronavigated inhibitory repetitive TMS (rTMS) applied over the left AG and vertex.
• A word recognition task assessing recollection, familiarity, and confidence post-rTMS.

Main Results:

• Inhibitory rTMS over the left AG did not alter recollection performance.
• Left AG rTMS significantly improved familiarity and subjective memory confidence in participants with low baseline recognition.
• Individual differences in baseline memory recognition moderated the effects of left AG stimulation.

Conclusions:

• The left AG plays a distinct role in memory familiarity and confidence, particularly for individuals with lower recognition abilities.
• Non-invasive brain stimulation studies should consider individual differences in experimental design.
• Findings contribute to understanding the neural basis of memory recognition and individual variability.