Cited by 803Memory Processes and InfluencesIdentity, Memory, and TherapyMemory and Neural Mechanisms

Cerebral Representation of One’s Own Past: Neural Networks Involved in Autobiographical Memory

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Fink, Gereon R., Markowitsch, Hans J., Reinkemeier, Mechthild, Bruckbauer, Thomas, Kessler, Josef, Heiss, Wolf-Dieter·1996·The Journal of Neuroscience

Abstract

We studied the functional anatomy of affect-laden autobiographical memory in normal volunteers. Using H 2 15 O positron emission tomography (PET), we measured changes in relative regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF). Four rCBF measurements were obtained during three conditions: REST, i.e., subjects lay at rest (for control); IMPERSONAL, i.e., subjects listened to sentences containing episodic information taken from an autobiography of a person they did not know, but which had been presented to them before PET scanning (nonautobiographical episodic memory ecphory); and PERSONAL, i.e., subjects listened to sentences containing information taken from their own past (autobiographical episodic memory ecphory). Comparing IMPERSONAL with REST (nonautobiographical episodic memory ecphory) resulted in relative rCBF increases symmetrically in both temporal lobes including the temporal poles and medial and superior temporal gyri. The same loci, however, with a stronger lateralization to the right hemisphere were activated in the comparison PERSONAL to REST (autobiographical episodic memory ecphory). In addition, the right temporomesial, right dorsal prefrontal, right posterior cingulate areas, and the left cerebellum were activated. A comparison of PERSONAL and IMPERSONAL (autobiographical vs nonautobiographical episodic memory ecphory) demonstrated a preponderantly right hemispheric activation including primarily right temporomesial and temporolateral cortex, right posterior cingulate areas, right insula, and right prefrontal areas. The right temporomesial activation included hippocampus, parahippocampus, and amygdala. These results suggest that a right hemispheric network of temporal, together with posterior, cingulate, and prefrontal, areas is engaged in the ecphory of affect-laden autobiographical information.

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Crossref · 10.1523/jneurosci.16-13-04275.1996

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  • Left precuneus has been associated with the simulation of third-person perspectives and episodic memory retrieval, while right posterior cingulate has been linked to retrieval of autobiographical memories.

    “Left precuneus has been associated with the simulation of third-person perspectives (Ruby and Decety, 2001) and episodic memory retrieval (Zysset et al., 2002), while right posterior cingulate has been linked to retrieval of autobiographical memories (Fink et al., 1996; Ryan et al., 2001).”
  • The PCC is thought important for the modality-independent retrieval of autobiographical memories and their integration with current emotional states.

    “The PCC is thought important for the modality-independent retrieval of autobiographical memories and their integration with current emotional states (Fink et al. 1996; Maddock et al. 2001; Maddock 1999; Schilbach et al. 2008a).”

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Squire LR (1987) Memory and brain. New York: Oxford UP.

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Authors
Fink, G. R., Markowitsch, H. J., Reinkemeier, M., Bruckbauer, T., Kessler, J., & Heiss, W.-D.
Affiliations
  • Max Planck Society (DE)
  • Bielefeld University (DE)
Venue
The Journal of Neuroscience
Published
1996-07-01
Volume
16
Issue
13
Pages
4275-4282
ISSN
  • 0270-6474 (ISSN-L)
  • 1529-2401
OpenAlex
W2096034317
Cited by
803
References
83
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 27 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 19 · 2013: 28 · 2012: 33
FWCI
17.26
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PUB – Publications at Bielefeld University (Bielefeld University) (submittedVersion)
  • Publikationen an der Universität Bielefeld (Universität Bielefeld) (submittedVersion)
Funders
Wellcome Trust
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Identity, Memory, and Therapy
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
Keywords
autobiographical memory, episodic memory, regional cerebral blood flow, hemispheric lateralization, right hemisphere, temporal lobe, posterior cingulate cortex, prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala, parahippocampal gyrus, cerebellum, insula
MeSH terms
Adult, Affect, Autobiographies as Topic, Brain, Brain Mapping, Cerebrovascular Circulation, Dominance, Cerebral, Humans, Male, Memory, Nerve Net, Rest, Tomography, Emission-Computed

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