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Emotional memory retrieval. rTMS stimulation on left DLPFC increases the positive memories

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Abstract

A suggestive hypothesis proposed that the lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC) may be identified as the site of emotion-memory integration, since it was shown to be sensitive to the encoding and retrieval of emotional content. In the present research we explored the role of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in memory retrieval of positive vs. negative emotional stimuli. This effect was analyzed by using an rTMS paradigm that induced a cortical activation of the left DLPFC. Subjects were required to perform a task consisting of two experimental phases: an encoding phase, where some lists composed by positive and negative emotional words were presented to the subjects; a retrieval phase, where the old stimuli and the new stimuli were presented for a recognition performance. The rTMS stimulation was provided during the retrieval phase over the left DLPFC. We found that the rTMS stimulation over this area affects the memory retrieval of positive emotional material, with higher memory efficiency (reduced RTs). This result suggested that left DLPFC activation promotes the memory retrieval of emotional information. Secondly, the valence model of emotional cue processing may explain decreasing of RTs, by pointing out the distinct role the left hemisphere has in positive emotional cue processing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Cognitive Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo Gemelli, 1, 20123, Milan, Italy

    Michela Balconi & Chiara Ferrari

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  1. Michela Balconi
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  2. Chiara Ferrari
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Correspondence to Michela Balconi.

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Balconi, M., Ferrari, C. Emotional memory retrieval. rTMS stimulation on left DLPFC increases the positive memories. Brain Imaging and Behavior 6, 454–461 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11682-012-9163-6

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