title: Semantic strategy training increases memory performance and brain activity in patients with prefrontal cortex lesions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Memory deficit is a frequent cognitive disorder following acquired prefrontal cortex lesions. In the present study, we investigated the brain correlates of a short semantic strategy training and memory performance of patients with distinct prefrontal cortex lesions using fMRI and cognitive tests.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one adult patients with post-acute prefrontal cortex (PFC) lesions, twelve with left dorsolateral PFC (LPFC) and nine with bilateral orbitofrontal cortex (BOFC) were assessed before and after a short cognitive semantic training using a verbal memory encoding paradigm during scanning and neuropsychological tests outside the scanner.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After the semantic strategy training both groups of patients showed significant behavioral improvement in verbal memory recall and use of semantic strategies. In the LPFC group, greater activity in left inferior and medial frontal gyrus, precentral gyrus and insula was found after training. For the BOFC group, a greater activation was found in the left parietal cortex, right cingulated and precuneus after training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The activation of these specific areas in the memory and executive networks following cognitive training was associated to compensatory brain mechanisms and application of the semantic strategy.
authors: Department of Neurology, Hospital das Clinicas, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Av. Dr. Enéas de Carvalho Aguiar, 255, 5° andar, Consolação-CEP 05403-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. ecmiotto@usp.br
authors: Eliane C
authors: EC
authors: Miotto
authors: Cary R
authors: CR
authors: Savage
authors: Jonathan J
authors: JJ
authors: Evans
authors: Barbara A
authors: BA
authors: Wilson
authors: Maria G M
authors: MG
authors: Martin
authors: Joana B
authors: JB
authors: Balardin
authors: Fabio G
authors: FG
authors: Barros
authors: Griselda
authors: G
authors: Garrido
authors: Manoel J
authors: MJ
authors: Teixeira
authors: Edson
authors: E
authors: Amaro Junior
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D001931:Brain Mapping; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D012660:Semantics
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen