Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 28, 2026

Genomic MRI - a Public Resource for Studying Sequence Patterns within Genomic DNA
Published on: May 9, 2011
Different memory patterns of digits: a functional MRI study
Jingxin Nie1, Zengqiang Zhang2, Bin Wang3
1School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China.
Background:
Psychological investigations and functional imaging technology have been used to describe neural correlations of different types of memory with various stimuli. Memory with limited storage capacity and a short retention time can be classified as short-term memory (STM) while long-term memory (LTM) can be life-long without defined capacity.
Methods:
To identify brain activation pattern associated with different modes of memory for numerical figures, we detected brain activities from twenty-two healthy subjects when performing three types of memory tasks for numbers, namely STM, LTM and working memory (WM), by using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technique.
Results:
The result revealed variable patterns of activation in different brain regions responding to different types of memory tasks. The activation regions with primary processing and transient maintenance of STM for numerical figures are located in the visual cortex and mainly encoded by visual representations, while LTM was encoded by semantics and mainly recruiting left frontal cortex. We also found that subcortical structures, such as the caudate nucleus and the marginal division of the striatum, plays important roles in working memory.
Conclusions:
Activation of different brain regions in these three kinds of memories, indicating that different kinds of memories rely on different neural correlates and mental processes.
Related Concept Videos
Imaging Studies I: CT and MRI
Description of the Procedures
Computed Tomography (CT) scan:
Computed Tomography (CT) scans use X-ray technology to generate detailed images of bones, organs, and tissues. During the scan, the patient lies on a moving table...
Higher Mental Functions of Brain: Learning and Memory
System of Memory
Working Memory
Fixed Action Patterns
Long-Term Memory
Long-term memory can be categorized into two primary types: explicit and implicit memory. Explicit memory, also known as declarative memory, involves the conscious recollection of information that we deliberately try to remember, recall, and articulate. This type of memory encompasses specific facts, events, and...

