Frequency-specific network effective connectivity: ERP analysis of recognition memory process by directed connectivity estimators

Abstract

Various processes occur in memory retrieval in recognition memory and it is necessary to investigate memory brain function. Most of the research in past decades have focused on particular brain region function, but the interaction between these has a major role in human cognition. In this study, we used the memory retrieval task to investigate the underlying mechanism of recognition memory. The connectivity between brain regions is estimated from scalp electroencephalography signals that were recorded from twenty-three healthy subject participated in recognition memory task to correctly classify old/new words. Multivariate autoregressive models (MVAR) are used for the determination of Granger causality to estimate the effective connectivity in the time-frequency domain. We use GPDC and dDTF methods because they have almost resolved the previous problems in estimations. Results show that brain regions in the old condition have greater global connectivity in the theta and gamma band compared to the new words retrieval. Connectivity within and between the brain's hemisphere may be related to correct rejection. The left frontal has a crucial role in recollection. theta and gamma specific connectivity pattern between temporal, parietal and frontal cortex may disclose the retrieval mechanism. old/new comparison resulted in the different patterns of network connection. These results and other evidence emphasize the role of frequency of causal network interactions in the memory process.