Distinct brain networks in recognition memory share a defined region in the precuneus

Abstract

Current models of recognition memory performance postulate that there are two fundamentally distinct retrieval processes, i.e. recollection and familiarity. This view has been challenged and little is known from human research about the functional connectivity of the brain areas involved in these processes. In our study we used a Remember-Know procedure to assess the functional connectivity of brain regions under recognition memory in 30 healthy adults. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we analysed the blood oxygen level-dependent responses during correct Remember, correct Know, correct Rejection and missed responses of the subjects during recognition of non-emotional nouns. One activation cluster was found in the left precuneus associated with both recollection and familiarity answers. To acquire information about the way in which activity in one brain region modulates activity in another brain region in response to the active task, we performed a psychophysiological interaction analysis with the left precuneus as a seed region. This analysis revealed functionally distinct networks of brain areas underlying recollection and familiarity. Furthermore, we discuss the differential involvement of the hippocampus in a recollection network as compared with a familiarity network. In summary, our results further strengthen the assumptions of a dual-process view of recognition memory [e.g. H. Eichenbaum et al. (2007) Annual Review of Neuroscience, 30, 123-152; A.P. Yonelinas (2001) Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society London B Biological Sciences, 356, 1363-1374] and add empirical findings about the functional interconnectivity of brain regions supporting either recollection or familiarity.

Posterior Midline Activation during Symptom Provocation in Acute Stress Disorder: An fMRI Study

“…In line with studies of motor imagery (67–69), SMA has been found to be functionally connected to precuneus (53, 61, 70, 71), whereas pre-SMA is connected to dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (72). In addition to the well-known executive motor aspects (73), SMA was shown to be involved in sensory and working memory processes in healthy and traumatized participants (74–78) as well as motor inhibition (79–82).…”

“…Underscoring the integrative function of precuneus, connectivity studies revealed this area to be part of a network linking it to cuneus, lingual gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, and supplementary motor area (53, 55, 61) as well as sensorimotor areas and cerebellum in healthy (62) and traumatized samples (4). This network has been shown to be activated specifically during the recollection of autobiographical memory.…”

Morphological and Functional Differences between Athletes and Novices in Cortical Neuronal Networks

“…Our results were consistent with previous study performed in musicians that long-term motor learning and expertise experience lead to resting-state functional connectivity changes in the default mode network (Fauvel et al, 2014). As precuneus and medial prefrontal cortex highly involve in self-related episodic memory (Dörfel et al, 2009), it may be explained that higher activity in the default mode network is caused by frequently processed self-related episodic memory in basketball playing.…”

Mild Cognitive Impairment Is Not “Mild” at All in Altered Activation of Episodic Memory Brain Networks: Evidence from ALE Meta-Analysis

“…As part of the medial posterior parietal cortex, the precuneus, especially the dorsal subregions of precuneus, has been acknowledged playing a central role in a wide spectrum of highly integrated tasks, including visuo-spatial imagery, episodic memory retrieval (Lundstrom et al, 2003, 2005; Dörfel et al, 2009) and self-processing operations (see Cavanna and Trimble, 2006; Cavanna, 2007 for review). Although the contribution of precuneus to successful encoding has received relatively little attention, it was still found that precuneus is involved in allocentric encoding of spatial locations (Frings et al, 2006).…”