Flashbulb memory recall in healthy adults - a functional magnetic resonance imaging study

The present study investigated neural activations related to flashbulb memory (FM) recall and examined whether the amygdala and hippocampus are involved in FM recall. 20 healthy adults completed a block design with an FM-condition, where the reception events for a number of potential FM events had to be recalled, and a control condition (FMC) comprising reception events lacking FM characteristics. A definition naming task was used as an implicit baseline. The individual emotional reaction to the FM events (EMO) and self-rated retrieval success were included in the SPM model as modulating parameters. The main contrast of interest were FM > FMC and activations associated with EMO. ROI-analyses on mesiotemporal regions were performed. FM > FMC yielded activations in line with the autobiographical memory network, with mostly left sided-activations. EMO was associated with a more bilateral activation pattern. ROI-analysis revealed activations for EMO in the right amygdala and HATA. FM > FMC was associated with right hippocampal activations. The present findings are compatible with previous research into autobiographical memory, but also show activations for FM recall different from ordinary, not highly emotional autobiographical memories, as EMO is associated with a more bilateral network. Moreover, the amygdala seems to be involved in FM recall.

Flashbulb memories in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy

PURPOSE

Flashbulb memories (FMs) are vivid and stable autobiographical memories associated with learning surprising news of high emotional impact. Patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) can have autobiographical memory deficits. This is the first investigation of FMs in TLE applying a consistency measure of FM quality controlling for confabulation.

METHOD

A sample of 12 patients with TLE and a matched group of 15 healthy controls (HCs) were tested on an FM test including a retest procedure. Scores of FM consistency were obtained by comparing answers across both testing occasions.

RESULTS

In patients with TLE, FM consistency scores were significantly lower than in HCs. Exploratory subgroup analyses revealed FM deficits in both patients with left TLE and patients with right TLE compared with HCs.

CONCLUSION

The present study indicates that the FMs of patients with TLE are less consistent than those of healthy control subjects. Future investigations with larger samples are desirable, especially regarding separate analyses of patients with left TLE and patients with right TLE.

The effects of nonpharmacological interventions on subjective memory complaints: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Subjective memory complaints (SMC) in the absence of psychiatric or neurological disorders are common among older adults. Although increasing numbers of individuals are suffering from SMC, research into interventions alleviating SMC is sparse. The present systematic review was conducted in order to present a clearer picture of the quality, quantity and outcomes of SMC intervention research.

METHODS

PubMed and PsychInfo were searched with a comprehensive search string delivering 4,496 hits. Abstracts and - if applicable - full texts of these studies were screened by independent raters according to predefined criteria. Fourteen relevant studies were included in the review. The categories of intervention were: conventional memory training (MT; n = 8), expectancy change (EC: cognitive restructuring, psychoeducation, etc.; n = 5), combined interventions (n = 5), physical training (n = 1), and physical and mental training combined (n = 2). The outcomes were: subjective memory measures, objective memory, depressive symptoms and well-being.

RESULTS

EC, followed by combined interventions, was most efficient in influencing subjective memory. MT or physical and mental training combined were not efficient. On objective memory, MT was the only efficient intervention. No effects were found on depressive symptoms and well-being, with low numbers of studies in these comparisons.

CONCLUSION

EC seems to be most efficient in influencing SMC, whereas in objective memory MT is the only effective intervention. Depressive symptoms or well-being do not seem to be influenced significantly by any of the interventions. To date, the number of high-quality publications on SMC interventions is relatively low. More randomized controlled trials including measures of depressive symptoms and well-being are needed.

[Quality of life following extratemporal epilepsy surgery]

Extratemporal epileptic foci are increasingly treated successfully with surgery. This study assesses the effect of extratemporal epilepsy surgery on the subjective handicaps of epilepsy patients. Twenty-one adults with pharmacoresistant focal epilepsy undergoing extratemporal surgical interventions were analyzed compared to an age-, gender-, and IQ-matched patient group with temporal lobe epilepsy. A questionnaire on subjective handicaps was given prior to surgery and after 1 year of follow-up. There were significant postoperative improvements in the domains of work and activities, self perception, and judgement of changes in handicap. These changes were similar to those in patients undergoing temporal lobe surgery and not restricted to those achieving complete seizure remission. Epilepsy surgery thus improves not only seizure control but also quality of life in patients with extratemporal focus localization.

The impact of extratemporal epilepsy surgery on quality of life

Quality of life (QOL) with respect to seizure outcome, cognitive performance, and depressive symptoms was analyzed in 21 adult patients undergoing extratemporal epilepsy surgery (EXTLE). The Subjective Handicap of Epilepsy questionnaire was administered before and 1 year after surgery. Additionally, cognitive performance, depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory), and seizure frequency were assessed. After surgery, seizure frequency decreased and various aspects of QOL significantly improved. Improvements in the domain of Work and Activities correlated with a reduction in complex partial seizure frequency. Alterations in the subscale change correlated with a decrease in simple partial seizure frequency. The present results provide detailed evidence that patients with extratemporal epilepsy benefit from epilepsy surgery.