Distinct patterns of functional and effective connectivity between perirhinal cortex and other cortical regions in recognition memory and perceptual discrimination.

Authors

Edward B O'Neil, Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5C2
Andrea B Protzner, Krembil Neuroscience Centre, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5T 2S8 & Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3G3
Cornelia McCormick, Krembil Neuroscience Centre, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5T 2S8 & Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3G3
D Adam McLean, Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5C2
Jordan Poppenk, Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3G3 & Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6A 2E1
Anthony D Cate, Human Cognitive Neurophysiology Laboratory, Veterans Affairs Northern California Health Care System, Martinez, CA 94553, USA
Stefan Köhler, Department of Psychology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5C2 & Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6A 2E1

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2012

Journal

Cerebral cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991)

Volume

22

Issue

1

First Page

74

Last Page

85

URL with Digital Object Identifier

10.1093/cercor/bhr075

Abstract

Traditionally, the medial temporal lobe (MTL) is thought to be dedicated to declarative memory. Recent evidence challenges this view, suggesting that perirhinal cortex (PrC), which interfaces the MTL with the ventral visual pathway, supports highly integrated object representations in recognition memory and perceptual discrimination. Even with comparable representational demands, perceptual and memory tasks differ in numerous task demands and the subjective experience they evoke. Here, we tested whether such differences are reflected in distinct patterns of connectivity between PrC and other cortical regions, including differential involvement of prefrontal control processes. We examined functional magnetic resonance imaging data for closely matched perceptual and recognition memory tasks for faces that engaged right PrC equivalently. Multivariate seed analyses revealed distinct patterns of interactions: Right ventrolateral prefrontal and posterior cingulate cortices exhibited stronger functional connectivity with PrC in recognition memory; fusiform regions were part of the pattern that displayed stronger functional connectivity with PrC in perceptual discrimination. Structural equation modeling revealed distinct patterns of effective connectivity that allowed us to constrain interpretation of these findings. Overall, they demonstrate that, even when MTL structures show similar involvement in recognition memory and perceptual discrimination, differential neural mechanisms are reflected in the interplay between the MTL and other cortical regions.