QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

HOME  |   SEARCH  |   ARCHIVE  |   SUBSCRIBE  |   CONTACT  |   HELP

The Journal of Neuroscience, January 14, 2009, 29(2):508-516; doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3587-08.2009

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Supplemental Data Submit an eLetter Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by McDuff, S. G. R. Articles by Norman, K. A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by McDuff, S. G. R. Articles by Norman, K. A.

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Behavioral/Systems/Cognitive
Multivoxel Pattern Analysis Reveals Increased Memory Targeting and Reduced Use of Retrieved Details during Single-Agenda Source Monitoring

Susan G. R. McDuff,¹ Hillary C. Frankel,³ and Kenneth A. Norman^1,2

¹Department of Psychology, and ²Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, and ³Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115

Correspondence should be addressed to Kenneth A. Norman, Department of Psychology, Princeton University, Green Hall, Washington Road, Princeton, NJ 08540. Email: knorman{at}princeton.edu

We used multivoxel pattern analysis (MVPA) of functional MRI (fMRI) data to gain insight into how subjects' retrieval agendas influence source memory judgments (was item X studied using source Y?). In Experiment 1, we used a single-agenda test where subjects judged whether items were studied with the targeted source or not. In Experiment 2, we used a multiagenda test where subjects judged whether items were studied using the targeted source, studied using a different source, or nonstudied. To evaluate the differences between single- and multiagenda source monitoring, we trained a classifier to detect source-specific fMRI activity at study, and then we applied the classifier to data from the test phase. We focused on trials where the targeted source and the actual source differed, so we could use MVPA to track neural activity associated with both the targeted source and the actual source. Our results indicate that single-agenda monitoring was associated with increased focus on the targeted source (as evidenced by increased targeted-source activity, relative to baseline) and reduced use of information relating to the actual, nontarget source. In the multiagenda experiment, high levels of actual-source activity were associated with increased correct rejections, suggesting that subjects were using recollection of actual-source information to avoid source memory errors. In the single-agenda experiment, there were comparable levels of actual-source activity (suggesting that recollection was taking place), but the relationship between actual-source activity and behavior was absent (suggesting that subjects were failing to make proper use of this information).

Key words: memory; long-term memory; fMRI; source memory; retrieval strategies; pattern classification

---

Received July 30, 2008; revised Nov. 22, 2008; accepted Dec. 3, 2008.

Correspondence should be addressed to Kenneth A. Norman, Department of Psychology, Princeton University, Green Hall, Washington Road, Princeton, NJ 08540. Email: knorman{at}princeton.edu

Home  |   Search  |   Archive  |   Subscribe  |   Contact  |   Help