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Interindividual Variability in Memory Performance Is Related to Corticothalamic Networks during Memory Encoding and
Roberta Passiatore1,2, Antonella Lupo1, Nicola Sambuco1
1Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari 70124, Italy.
Summary
Individual memory performance is linked to specific brain activity patterns. Resting-state connections in the medial thalamus support memory, influenced by anterior and medial thalamic activation during encoding and retrieval.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Encoding new memories involves functional connections between the medial temporal lobe and frontoparietal cortices.
- Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies indicate changes in these connections before and after memory encoding.
- The thalamus may influence these functional connections, with different thalamic nuclei linked to distinct cortical networks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that variations in cortico-thalamic recruitment impact individual memory performance.
- To explore the relationship between resting-state functional connectivity, brain activity during memory tasks, and associative memory performance.
- To identify distinct cortico-thalamic patterns associated with interindividual variability in memory encoding.
Main Methods:
- A multi-scan fMRI protocol was employed, including resting-state and associative memory tasks (encoding and retrieval phases).
- Data were collected from two independent samples of healthy adults (N1=29, N2=108).
- Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to analyze direct and indirect effects of cortico-thalamic recruitment on memory performance.
Main Results:
- A positive association was found between resting-state functional connectivity of the medial thalamic subdivision within the frontoparietal network and memory performance (R=0.27–0.36).
- This relationship was mediated by decreased anterior thalamic activation during encoding and increased medial thalamic activation during retrieval.
- Three distinct clusters of individuals exhibited different cortico-thalamic patterns across memory phases, highlighting interindividual variability.
Conclusions:
- Successful associative memory encoding relies on distinct cortico-thalamic pathways, specifically involving medial thalamic recruitment and suppression of the anterior subdivision.
- Baseline functional connectivity within medial thalamic networks supports memory performance through indirect effects of anterior and medial thalamic activation patterns.
- Cortico-thalamic functioning, particularly involving the anterior and medial thalamus, underlies individual differences in associative memory encoding.
Keywords:
associative memoryclusteringcorticothalamic networkfunctional connectivityinterindividual variabilitythalamusMore Related Videos
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