| Literature DB >> 26441560 |
Johannes Mallow1, Johannes Bernarding2, Michael Luchtmann3, Anja Bethmann4, André Brechmann4.
Abstract
Superior memorizers often employ the method of loci (MoL) to memorize large amounts of information. The MoL, known since ancient times, relies on a complex process where information to be memorized is bound to landmarks along mental routes in a previously memorized environment. However, functional magnetic resonance imaging data on groups of trained superior memorizer are rare. Based on the memorizing strategy reported by superior memorizers, we developed a scheme of the processes successively employed during memorizing and recalling digits and relate these to brain activation that is specific for the encoding and recall period. In the examined superior memorizers several regions, suggested to be involved in mental navigation and digit-to-word processing, were specifically activated during encoding: bilateral early visual cortex, retrosplenial cortex, left parahippocampus, left visual cortex, and left superior parietal cortex. Although the scheme suggests that some steps during encoding and recall seem to be analog, none of the encoding areas were specifically activated during the recall. Instead, we found strong activation in left anterior superior temporal gyrus, which we relate to recalling the sequential order of the digits, and right motor cortex that may be related to reciting the digits.Entities:
Keywords: encoding; mental navigation; method of loci; recall; superior memorizers
Year: 2015 PMID: 26441560 PMCID: PMC4568341 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2015.00128
Source DB: PubMed Journal: Front Syst Neurosci ISSN: 1662-5137
Regions activated to a higher degree in superior memorizers than in naïve controls (p < 0.01, Bonferroni corrected, minimum cluster size eight voxels).
| Region | Talairach coordinates | BA | Cluster size | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Left visual cortex | -13 | -67 | -3 | 18 | 1213 |
| Right visual cortex | 10 | -72 | -2 | 18 | 228 |
| Left visual cortex | -20 | -81 | 34 | 19 | 615 |
| Left angular gyrus | -40 | -65 | 24 | 39 | 2162 |
| Left retrosplenial cortex | -12 | -53 | 8 | 30 | 3914 |
| Right retrosplenial cortex | 13 | -51 | 8 | 30 | 1047 |
| Left superior parietal cortex | -20 | -57 | 52 | 7 | 263 |
| Left parahippocampus | -25 | -36 | -7 | 449 | |
| Left anterior superior temporal gyrus | -57 | -8 | 7 | 22 | 346 |
| Right motor cortex | 50 | -8 | 30 | 4/6 | 676 |