Neural correlates of verbal memory encoding during semantic and structuralprocessing tasks

Eighteen participants were imaged using fMRI to explore whether brain regio ns predicting successful verbal memory encoding during semantic decisions w ould continue to predict encoding during structural (non-semantic) decision s. Consistent with prior studies, left interior frontal and fusiform region s were more active during semantic than structural decisions, and activity was greater for remembered than forgotten words during semantic decisions. Critically, structural decisions yielded significantly greater activity for remembered than forgotten words in these regions providing evidence that a common frontal-temporal network supports verbal memory encoding irrespecti ve of orienting task. Further analysis revealed activity associated with su ccessful encoding in the right precentral gyrus, suggesting other regions m ay also play a role in verbal encoding during non-semantic processing. Neur oReport 12:1251-1256 (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.