hide
Free keywords:
Short-term memory; Language; Lesion; Neuropsychology
Abstract:
A contentious issue in memory research is whether verbal short-term memory (STM) depends on a neural
system specifically dedicated to the temporary maintenance of information, or instead relies on the same
brain areas subserving the comprehension and production of language. In this study, we examined a large
sample of adults with acquired brain lesions to identify the critical neural substrates underlying verbal
STM and the relationship between verbal STM and language processing abilities. We found that patients
with damage to selective regions of left perisylvian cortex – specifically the inferior frontal and posterior
temporal sectors – were impaired on auditory–verbal STM performance (digit span), as well as on tests
requiring the production and/or comprehension of language. These results support the conclusion that
verbal STM and language processing are mediated by the same areas of left perisylvian cortex.
