Parahippocampal activation during successful recognition of words: A self-paced event-related fMRI study

In this study, we investigated retrieval from verbal episodic memory using a self-paced event-related fMRI paradigm, similar to the designs typically used in behavioral studies of memory function. We tested the hypothesis tha t the medial temporal lobe (MTL) is involved in the actual recovery of verb al information (retrieval success) rather than in the attempt to retrieve i nformation (retrieval attempt), To this end, we used a verbal recognition t ask, distinguishing correctly recognized words, correctly rejected words, a nd a low-level baseline condition, Directly contrasting correct recognition with correct rejection of words, we found activation in the left fusiform/ parahippocampal gyrus, indicating that this region has a distinct role in t he successful retrieval of verbal information, Furthermore, our results wer e in agreement with those of previous imaging studies that compared a fixed -paced verbal recognition task to a baseline condition, showing activation in bilateral inferior frontal cortex, left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, left anterior insular cortex, and anterior cingulate, This demonstrates the applicability of a self-paced event-related design within imaging studies of memory function. (C) 2001 Academic Press.