Article

Previous neuroimaging studies that have examined autobiographical memory
specificity have utilized retrieval cues associated with prior searches of the
event, potentially changing the retrieval processes being investigated. In the
current study, musical cues were used to naturally elicit memories from multiple
levels of specificity (i.e., lifetime period, general event, and event-specific).
Sixteen young adults participated in a neuroimaging study in which they retrieved
autobiographical memories associated with musical cues. These musical cues led to
the retrieval of highly emotional memories that had low levels of prior
retrieval. Retrieval of all autobiographical memory levels was associated with
activity in regions in the autobiographical memory network, specifically the
ventromedial prefrontal cortex, posterior cingulate, and right medial temporal
lobe. Owing to the use of music, memories from varying levels of specificity were
retrieved, allowing for comparison of event memory and abstract personal
knowledge, as well as comparison of specific and general event memory.
Dorsolateral and dorsomedial prefrontal regions were engaged during event
retrieval relative to personal knowledge retrieval, and retrieval of specific
event memories was associated with increased activity in the bilateral medial
temporal lobe and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex relative to retrieval of general
event memories. These results suggest that the initial search processes for
memories of different specificity levels preferentially engage different components of the autobiographical memory network. The potential underlying
causes of these neural differences are discussed.
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Langue : ANGLAIS