title: Distinct anatomical correlates of discriminability and criterion setting in verbal recognition memory revealed by lesion-symptom mapping.
abstract: Recognition memory, that is, the ability to judge whether an item has been previously encountered in a particular context, depends on two factors: discriminability and criterion setting. Discriminability draws on memory processes while criterion setting (i.e., the application of a threshold resulting in a yes/no response) is regarded as a process of cognitive control. Discriminability and criterion setting are assumed to draw on distinct anatomical structures, but definite evidence for this assumption is lacking. We applied voxel-based and region of interest-based lesion-symptom mapping to 83 patients in the acute phase of ischemic stroke to determine the anatomical correlates of discriminability and criterion setting in verbal recognition memory. Recognition memory was measured with the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test. Signal-detection theory was used to calculate measures for discriminability and criterion setting. Lesion-symptom mapping revealed that discriminability draws on left medial temporal and temporo-occipital structures, both thalami and the right hippocampus, while criterion setting draws on the right inferior frontal gyrus. Lesions in the right inferior frontal gyrus were associated with liberal response bias. These findings indicate that discriminability and criterion setting indeed depend on distinct anatomical structures and provide new insights in the anatomical correlates of these cognitive processes that underlie verbal recognition memory.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Utrecht Stroke Center, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: J Matthijs
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Biesbroek
authors.forename: Martine J E
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: van Zandvoort
authors.forename: L Jaap
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Kappelle
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schoo
authors.forename: Hugo J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kuijf
authors.forename: Birgitta K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Velthuis
authors.forename: Geert Jan
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Biessels
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Postma
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000473:pathology; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D046709:Pattern Recognition, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D013067:Speech Perception / Q000502:physiology; D020521:Stroke / Q000473:pathology
keywords: criterion setting; discriminability; lesion-symptom mapping; recognition memory; response bias