Behavioural and functional anatomical correlates of deception in humans

Brain activity in humans telling lies has yet to be elucidated. We develope d an objective approach to its investigation, utilizing a computer-based in terrogation and fMRI. Interrogatory questions probed recent episodic memory in 30 volunteers studied outside and 10 volunteers studied inside the MR s canner. In a counter-balanced design subjects answered specified questions both truthfully and with lies. Lying was associated with longer response ti mes (p<0.001) and greater activity in bilateral ventrolateral prefrontal co rtices (p < 0.05, corrected). These findings were replicated using an alter native protocol. Ventrolateral prefrontal cortex may be engaged in generati ng lies or withholding the truth. NeuroReport 12:2849-2853 (C) 2001 Lippinc ott Williams & Wilkins.