Enhanced brain correlations during rest are related to memory for recent experiences

Neuron. 2010 Jan 28;65(2):280-90. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2010.01.001.

Abstract

Long-term storage of episodic memories is hypothesized to result from the off-line transfer of information from the hippocampus to neocortex, allowing a hippocampal-independent cortical representation to emerge. However, off-line hippocampal-cortical interactions have not been demonstrated to be linked with long-term memory. Here, using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we examined if hippocampal-cortical BOLD correlations during rest following an associative encoding task are related to later associative memory performance. Our data show enhanced functional connectivity between the hippocampus and a portion of the lateral occipital complex (LO) during rest following a task with high subsequent memory compared to pretask baseline resting connectivity. This effect is not seen during rest following a task with poor subsequent memory. Furthermore, the magnitude of hippocampal-LO correlations during posttask rest predicts individual differences in later associative memory. These results demonstrate the importance of postexperience resting brain correlations for memory for recent experiences.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Memory / physiology*
  • Photic Stimulation / methods
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology
  • Rest / physiology*
  • Time Factors
  • Young Adult