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Updated: May 9, 2026
Brain Imaging Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Emotional Autobiographical Recollection
Published on: August 26, 2011
Neural regions associated with memories of Recalled Experiences of Death (REDs; authentic Near‑Death Experiences
José Alonso Ruiz1, Mayte Rodríguez-González-Moro2, Tomás Segura3
1Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University of Murcia (UCAM), 30107 Murcia, Spain.
Introduction:
This observational study examined brain activation patterns when people relive their memories of recalled experiences of death (REDs), also known as authentic near-death experience (NDE) memories, using structural and functional MRI under normal cerebral perfusion in participants with clinically documented life-threatening events and loss of consciousness.
Methods:
Fifteen participants (7 women, 8 men; aged 18-75) were evaluated using two scanners. A block-design paradigm (recall RED-rest) was applied, with prior psychological training, physiological monitoring, and radiological review. Analysis was performed using SPM25. A whole-brain threshold was applied at an uncorrected level of p < 0.001 with a minimum cluster extent of k ≥ 10 voxels. Region-of-interest (ROI) analyses were performed using small-volume correction with voxel-wise family-wise error (FWE) correction (pFWE < 0.05).
Results:
Significant activations were observed in the precuneus (BA7), posterior cingulate cortex (BA23/31), medial prefrontal cortex (BA10), dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (BA9/46), angular gyrus (BA39), secondary visual cortex (BA18/19), middle temporal gyrus (BA21), and orbitofrontal cortex (BA47). The parahippocampal region (BA36) showed a non-significant trend. No activation was found in primary sensorimotor or limbic areas.
Discussion:
The reliving of RED/authentic NDE memories was associated with the engagement of brain networks implicated in autobiographical memory and the default mode network (DMN), suggesting the involvement of introspective and self-referential processes. The observed activation patterns were not consistent with those typically reported for primary sensory hallucinations.
Conclusions:
Controlled reliving of memories of REDs/authentic NDEs may represent a useful experimental paradigm for investigating multisensory autobiographical memory and neural processes related to conscious self-experience. These findings are consistent with vivid episodic recollection and differ from neural patterns commonly associated with imagined or false memories.
Insights
Recalling memories of death experiences (REDs) activates brain regions associated with self-reflection and autobiographical memory, not hallucinations. This controlled method offers insights into conscious self-experience.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Near-death experiences (NDEs) and recalled experiences of death (REDs) are profound events.
- Understanding the neural correlates of these subjective experiences is crucial for cognitive science.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate brain activation patterns during the controlled reliving of REDs/authentic NDE memories.
- To differentiate neural correlates of REDs from those of hallucinations or false memories.
Main Methods:
- Observational study using functional MRI (fMRI) on 15 participants with documented life-threatening events and loss of consciousness.
- A block-design paradigm (RED recall vs. rest) was employed with psychological training and physiological monitoring.
- Analysis involved whole-brain and region-of-interest approaches with specific statistical thresholds.
Main Results:
- Significant brain activation observed in areas linked to autobiographical memory and the default mode network (DMN), including the precuneus, posterior cingulate cortex, and medial prefrontal cortex.
- Activations were noted in regions associated with self-referential processing and introspection.
- No activation was found in primary sensorimotor or limbic areas, and patterns differed from typical hallucination correlates.
Conclusions:
- Reliving REDs/authentic NDE memories engages brain networks supporting autobiographical memory and self-awareness.
- This controlled paradigm is valuable for studying multisensory memory and conscious self-experience.
- Findings support vivid episodic recollection and distinguish REDs from imagined or false memories.
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