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The mind's eye--precuneus activation in memory-related imagery
P C Fletcher1, C D Frith, S C Baker
1Wellcome Department of Cognitive Neurology, Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom.
Neuroimage
|September 1, 1995
Summary
Brain scans revealed that the precuneus area is activated during visual imagery in memory recall. This finding supports the precuneus
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Episodic memory retrieval involves recalling past events.
- Visual imagery plays a role in recalling certain types of memories.
- The neural basis of visual imagery during memory recall requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate brain activity associated with visual imagery during episodic memory retrieval.
- To identify specific brain regions involved in visual imagery during memory recall.
- To test the hypothesis that the precuneus is involved in visual imagery during memory recall.
Main Methods:
- Positron emission tomography (PET) was used to measure regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF).
- Six healthy male volunteers underwent 12 PET scans.
- Participants recalled imageable and non-imageable verbal paired associates under cued recall conditions, with memory performance equated.
Main Results:
- Subjective ratings confirmed increased visual imagery for imageable word pairs.
- Significant activation of the medial parietal area, the precuneus, was observed during the recall of imageable word pairs.
- No significant differences in memory performance were found between imageable and non-imageable word lists.
Conclusions:
- The precuneus is a key neural component of visual imagery during conscious memory recall.
- This study provides strong evidence supporting the role of the precuneus in visual imagery.
- The findings confirm a previously hypothesized function of the precuneus in memory-related visual imagery.