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The contribution of the human posterior parietal cortex to episodic memory

2017; Nature Portfolio; Volume: 18; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1038/nrn.2017.6

1471-0048

Carlo Sestieri, Gordon L. Shulman, Maurizio Corbetta,

Memory Processes and Influences

Recent human neuroimaging studies suggest that, in addition to its role in visuospatial and sensorimotor processes, the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) also plays an important part in episodic memory retrieval. Here, Sestieri, Shulman and Corbetta present a functional–anatomical model of the involvement of the PPC in memory retrieval. The posterior parietal cortex (PPC) is traditionally associated with attention, perceptual decision making and sensorimotor transformations, but more recent human neuroimaging studies support an additional role in episodic memory retrieval. In this Opinion article, we present a functional–anatomical model of the involvement of the PPC in memory retrieval. Parietal regions involved in perceptual attention and episodic memory are largely segregated and often show a push–pull relationship, potentially mediated by prefrontal regions. Moreover, different PPC regions carry out specific functions during retrieval — for example, representing retrieved information, recoding this information based on task demands, or accumulating evidence for memory decisions.