Functional MRI During Memory Recognition in Healthy Adults

Purpose: To localize the functional cortices enrolled during abstract picture recognition task that might be a baseline study to provide Thais standard paradigm for future research. Material and methods: The protocol study was approved by institutional review broad and local ethics committee. Informed written consent was obtained from all participants after character of the experimental study was fully explained. Twenty healthy subjects underwent functional MRI and axial T1 weighted image, the latter was anatomic reference image. Abstract picture recognition task as block paradigm was used. Statistic analysis of fMRI datas were analyzed as a whole group analysis and using sample t test random effect analysis model, RFx (corrected P value <0.01). BOLD activities on brain surface rendering images were displayed as color from red (less activity) to yellow (strong activity). The anatomic reference image was loaded to overlay the colored maps and the anatomy of the cerebral cortical lobes and gyri and hippocampal formation were defined. In addition, BOLD activities are also displayed as color overlays on axial, coronal and sagittal views of T1W reference anatomic images, gradual change from dark blue (less activity) to red (most strong activity). Results: Activation for abstract picture recognition was observed at the both-sided cerebellum, bilateral parietal lobes, left hippocampus, bilateral occipital lobes including calcarine cortices, left motor cortex, bilateral premotor cortices, supplementary motor area and left superior temporal gyrus (Wernickeûs area). There is asymmetry of the activities in both hemispheres with left-sided predominance. Bilateral parietal and occipital lobes showed the most intense activities. Conclusion: Abstract picture recognition task showed activation in multiple areas of cortical brain, which correlates with the human memory processing.