Journal article
Investigating the Neural Correlates of Schemas: Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex Is Necessary for Normal Schematic Influence on Memory
The Journal of neuroscience, Vol.35(47), pp.15746-15751
11/25/2015
DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2767-15.2015
PMCID: PMC4659831
PMID: 26609165
Abstract
Schemas, as memory representations of typical contexts, allow for generalization from previous experiences while often improving memory organization and accuracy. However, these advantageous characteristics of schematic memory may come at the cost of episode-specific information. In the human brain, this tradeoff between general and specific knowledge has been linked to differential contributions of the medial temporal lobes (MTL) to episode-specific memory and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) to generalized, schematic memory. Here, we used a neuropsychological approach to test whether participants with focal vmPFC damage (n = 6) would show a reduced influence of schematic memory relative to healthy normal comparison participants (n = 12) in a recognition task that presented schematically congruent or incongruent contexts at study. As predicted, normal comparison participants were more likely to identify items as old after studying them in congruent contexts, and this effect was reflected in increased true and false recognition. These effects of prior context on recognition were not observed in the vmPFC group, suggesting that vmPFC damage reduced the influence of schematic memory. These findings are consistent with the proposition that the vmPFC plays an important role in integrating previous experience into ongoing memory processes while acting as part of a larger memory network.
In the human brain, new memories are strongly influenced by existing knowledge of relevant context (sometimes called "schemas"). Schemas can benefit memory by expediting learning and increasing capacity in familiar contexts, but these benefits may simultaneously reduce episode-specific memory. Here we show that damage to the human ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) reduced the influence of existing knowledge on new memories. Our findings suggest that the vmPFC plays a key role in schematic memory processes by integrating previous experiences and contextual information to influence memory. These findings provide novel insight into the brain regions necessary for normal schematic memory and enhance our understanding of the brain networks supporting memory processes.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Investigating the Neural Correlates of Schemas: Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex Is Necessary for Normal Schematic Influence on Memory
- Creators
- Kelsey N Spalding - Departments of Psychological and Brain Sciences andSamuel H Jones - Department of Neurology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242Melissa C Duff - Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Department of Neurology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242Daniel Tranel - Departments of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Department of Neurology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242David E Warren - Department of Neurology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242 davideugenewarren@gmail.com
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The Journal of neuroscience, Vol.35(47), pp.15746-15751
- DOI
- 10.1523/jneurosci.2767-15.2015
- PMID
- 26609165
- PMCID
- PMC4659831
- NLM abbreviation
- J Neurosci
- ISSN
- 1529-2401
- eISSN
- 1529-2401
- Publisher
- United States
- Grant note
- R01 DC011755 / NIDCD NIH HHS T32 GM108540 / NIGMS NIH HHS R01 MH062500 / NIMH NIH HHS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 11/25/2015
- Academic Unit
- Neurology; Psychological and Brain Sciences; Iowa Neuroscience Institute
- Record Identifier
- 9984002346702771
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