Separable Routes to Human Memory Formation: Dissociating Task and Material Contributions in the Prefrontal Cortex

Abstract

The present study used fMRI to investigate functional dissociations across frontal regions during incidental memory formation. Subjects were imaged while encoding materials with differential access to phonological codes (nonfamous faces and nameable famous faces) under task conditions that encouraged elaborate (deep) or superficial (shallow) encoding strategies. Results revealed a functional dissociation between dorsal posterior regions of the prefrontal cortex (BA 6/44) that were sensitive to material type (famous vs. nonfamous), irrespective of the encoding task, and ventral anterior regions of the prefrontal cortex (BA 45/47) that were uniquely sensitive to task demands (deep vs. shallow), regardless of material type. Further, subjects realized a memorial advantage to the extent that they recruited these dissociable frontal regions. These results demonstrate a posterior/anterior dichotomy in the frontal cortex that underlies separable code-based routes to human memory formation.

Multi-voxel patterns of visual category representation during episodic encoding are predictive of subsequent memory

“…Alternatively, different visual categories may tend to differentially engage domain-general processes. For example, in the present study, Face and Scene trials may have differed in the degree to which they elicited semantic analysis, sub-vocal rehearsal, attention to spatial information, or any number of processes that might be reflected in differential prefrontal activation (e.g., Baker, Sanders, Maccotta, & Buckner, 2001; Demb et al, 1995; Johnson et al, 2003; Otten & Rugg, 2001; Wig, Miller, Kingstone, & Kelley, 2004; Race, Shanker, & Wagner, 2009). The potential for spontaneous variation in encoding strategy is particularly plausible in the present study, where we did not prescribe a specific strategy (Kirchhoff & Buckner, 2006).…”

Are Attractive People Rewarding? Sex Differences in the Neural Substrates of Facial Attractiveness

“…Face stimuli consisted of a set of unfamiliar nonnameable faces used in previous neuroimaging studies (Wig, Miller, Kingstone, & Kelley, 2004;Kelley et al, 1998) that was complemented with other unfamiliar faces compiled from the media. The faces were cropped below the chin line and around the outer hairline and were scaled to center a 1333 Â 1333 mm black canvas.…”

Dissociable Medial Temporal Lobe Contributions to Social Memory

“…Face stimuli consisted of a standardized set of unfamiliar faces used in previous studies ( Wig, Miller, Kingstone, & Kelley, 2004;Kelley et al, 1998). These nonfamous faces were compiled from the media, and were cropped below the chin line and around the outer hairline, creating a face centered on a black background.…”