Stimulation of the Posterior Cingulate Cortex Impairs Episodic Memory Encoding

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0698-19.2019
• Publication Date: 2019-07-29T21:45:14Z
• Authors: Vaidehi S. Natu; Jui-Jui Lin; Alexis Burks; Akshay Arora; Michael D. Rugg; Bradley Lega
• Keywords: Posterior cingulate; Brain stimulation; Neuromodulation

Neuroimaging experiments implicate the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) in episodic memory processing, making it a potential target for responsive neuromodulation strategies outside of hippocampal network. However, causal evidence role that PCC plays encoding is lacking. In human female and male participants (N = 17) undergoing seizure mapping, we investigated functional properties using deep brain stimulation (DBS) stereotactic electroencephalography. We used verbal free recall paradigm which was stimulated during presentation half study lists, whereas no applied remaining lists. whether affected modulated activity. Results revealed four main findings. First, impaired subsequent recall, predominantly items presented early Second, increased gamma-band power. Third, stimulation-induced gamma power predicted magnitude impairment. Fourth, connectivity between hippocampus strength effect on memory. Our findings offer implicating encoding. Importantly, results indicate targeted temporal lobe can modulate activity impact behavior. Furthermore, measures regions within network be informative predicting behavioral effects stimulation. have significant implications developing therapies to treat disorders cognitive impairment DBS.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Cognitive loss are critical public health challenges. Deep promising tool ameliorate by targeting involved mnemonic processing. Using DBS, our sheds light lesser-known Stimulating impairs The degree oscillations hippocampus. provide first highlight as favorable priori predict effects. This has diseases.