Frontal cortex contributes to human memory formation

Abstract

The contribution of medial temporal lobe structures to memory is well established. However recent brain-imaging studies have indicated that frontal cortex may also be involved in human memory formation. Specific frontal areas are recruited during a variety of procedures that promote memory formation, and the laterality of these areas is influenced by the type of information contained in the memory. Imaging methods that capture momentary changes in brain activity have further shown that the likelihood of memory formation correlates with the level of activity in these areas. These results, taken in the context of other studies, suggest that memory formation depends on joint participation of frontal and medial temporal lobe structures.