Abstract
Successful episodic memory involves dynamic increases in activity across distributed hippocampal networks, including the posterior-medial (PMN) and the anterior-temporal (ATN) networks. We tested whether this up-regulation of functional connectivity during memory processing can be enhanced within hippocampal networks by noninvasive stimulation, and whether such task-dependent connectivity enhancement predicts memory improvement. Participants received stimulation targeting the PMN or an out-of-network control location. We compared the effects of stimulation on fMRI connectivity during an autobiographical retrieval task versus during rest within the PMN and the ATN. PMN-targeted stimulation significantly increased connectivity during autobiographical retrieval versus rest within the PMN. This effect was not observed in the ATN, or in either network following control stimulation. Task-dependent increases in connectivity within the medial temporal lobe predicted improved performance of a separate episodic memory test. It is therefore possible to enhance the task-dependent regulation of hippocampal network connectivity that supports memory processing using noninvasive stimulation.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | e49458 |
Journal | eLife |
Volume | 8 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 2019 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neuroscience(all)
- Immunology and Microbiology(all)
- Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)