The functional neuroanatomy of episodic memory
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 2, 2026

Examining the Characteristics of Episodic Memory using Event-related Potentials in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease
Published on: August 30, 2011
P C Fletcher1, C D Frith, M D Rugg
1Wellcome Dept of Cognitive Neurology, Institute of Neurology, London, UK.
Abstract:
Functional neuroimaging studies have revealed that effective encoding in episodic memory is associated with enhanced activity in left prefrontal cortex, whereas retrieval is accompanied by the enhancement of predominantly right-sided prefrontal activity. The extent of the contribution of prefrontal cortex to episodic memory, and the fact that the encoding and retrieval operations it supports are differentially lateralized, were unexpected on the basis of evidence from lesion studies. Such studies have highlighted the crucial role in episodic memory played by the hippocampus and related medial temporal lobe structures. Neuroimaging studies, however, have had only limited success in elucidating the role of the hippocampus in episodic memory. Refinements in experimental design and improved spatial resolution should promote rapid future progress with respect to this issue.
Related Concept Videos
Role of Hippocampus in Memory
Higher Mental Functions of Brain: Learning and Memory
Functional Brain Systems: Limbic System
Explicit Memories
Episodic memory contains information about personally experienced events and is reported as a story. An example of episodic memory is recalling a birthday celebration. This type of memory includes the what, where, and when of an event, as...
Storage
Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory

