title: Linking DMN connectivity to episodic memory capacity: what can we learn from patients with medial temporal lobe damage?
abstract: Computational models predict that focal damage to the Default Mode Network (DMN) causes widespread decreases and increases of functional DMN connectivity. How such alterations impact functioning in a specific cognitive domain such as episodic memory remains relatively unexplored. Here, we show in patients with unilateral medial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) that focal structural damage leads indeed to specific patterns of DMN functional connectivity alterations, specifically decreased connectivity between both medial temporal lobes (MTLs) and the posterior part of the DMN and increased intrahemispheric anterior-posterior connectivity. Importantly, these patterns were associated with better and worse episodic memory capacity, respectively. These distinct patterns, shown here for the first time, suggest that a close dialogue between both MTLs and the posterior components of the DMN is required to fully express the extensive repertoire of episodic memory abilities.
authors: Krembil Neuroscience Center & Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada ; Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors: Cornelia
authors: C
authors: McCormick
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors: Andrea B
authors: AB
authors: Protzner
authors: Krembil Neuroscience Center & Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada ; Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors: Alexander J
authors: AJ
authors: Barnett
authors: Krembil Neuroscience Center & Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada ; Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors: Melanie
authors: M
authors: Cohn
authors: Krembil Neuroscience Center & Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada ; Department of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors: Taufik A
authors: TA
authors: Valiante
authors: Krembil Neuroscience Center & Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada ; Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada ; Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors: Mary Pat
authors: MP
authors: McAndrews
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001245:Association Learning / Q000502:physiology; D001931:Brain Mapping; D004833:Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D061212:Memory, Episodic; D008875:Middle Aged; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Episodic memory; Functional connectivity patterns; Medial temporal lobe epilepsy; Mediation; Structural damage