Abstract
The spatio-temporal distribution of brain activity as revealed by non-invasive functional imaging helps to elucidate the neuronal encoding and processing strategies required by complex cognitive tasks. We investigated visual short-term memory for objects, places and conjunctions in humans using event-related time-resolved functional magnetic resonance imaging that permitted segregation of encoding, retention and retrieval phases. All conditions were accompanied by the activation of a widespread network of parietal and prefrontal areas during the retention phase, but this retention-related activity showed additional modulations depending on task instructions. These modulations confirmed a posterior - anterior and right - left dissociation for spatial versus non-spatial memory and revealed that conjunction memory does not rely on a linear addition of the component processes.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 866-876 |
Journal | Cerebral Cortex |
Volume | 12 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2002 |