title: Neural correlates of attentional and mnemonic processing in event-based prospective memory.
abstract: Prospective memory (PM), or memory for realizing delayed intentions, was examined with an event-based paradigm while simultaneously measuring neural activity with high-density EEG recordings. Specifically, the neural substrates of monitoring for an event-based cue were examined, as well as those perhaps associated with the cognitive processes supporting detection of cues and fulfillment of intentions. Participants engaged in a baseline lexical decision task (LDT), followed by a LDT with an embedded PM component. Event-based cues were constituted by color and lexicality (red words). Behavioral data provided evidence that monitoring, or preparatory attentional processes, were used to detect cues. Analysis of the event-related potentials (ERP) revealed visual attentional modulations at 140 and 220 ms post-stimulus associated with preparatory attentional processes. In addition, ERP components at 220, 350, and 400 ms post-stimulus were enhanced for intention-related items. Our results suggest preparatory attention may operate by selectively modulating processing of features related to a previously formed event-based intention, as well as provide further evidence for the proposal that dissociable component processes support the fulfillment of delayed intentions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Georgia Athens, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Justin B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Knight
authors.forename: Lauren E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Ethridge
authors.forename: Richard L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Marsh
authors.forename: Brett A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Clementz