title: Human memory retrieval and inhibitory control in the brain: beyond correlational evidence.
abstract: Retrieving information from long-term memory can result in the episodic forgetting of related material. One influential account states that this retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF) phenomenon reflects inhibitory mechanisms called into play to decrease retrieval competition. Recent neuroimaging studies suggested that the prefrontal cortex, which is critically engaged in inhibitory processing, is also involved in retrieval competition situations. Here, we used transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to address whether inhibitory processes could be causally linked to RIF. tDCS was administered over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during the retrieval-practice phase in a standard retrieval-practice paradigm. Sixty human participants were randomly assigned to anodal, cathodal, or sham-control groups. The groups showed comparable benefits for practiced items. In contrast, unlike both the sham and anodal groups, the cathodal group exhibited no RIF. This pattern is interpreted as evidence for a causal role of inhibitory mechanisms in episodic retrieval and forgetting.
authors.affiliation: Departments of General Psychology and Developmental and Social Psychology, Human Inspired Technologies Research Centre-HIT, and Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Padua, I-35131 Padua, Italy, and Figlie di S. Camillo, Neuropsychology Clinic, I-26100 Cremona, Italy.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Penolazzi
authors.forename: Davide Francesco
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Stramaccia
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Braga
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mondini
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Galfano
mesh_terms: D000339:Affect / Q000502:physiology; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003657:Decision Making; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004566:Electrodes; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D057567:Memory, Long-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: DLPFC; cognitive control; inhibition; memory; retrieval; tDCS