Emozione e cognizione nel ricordo di stimoli emotivi. Uno studio rTMS sul contributo della DLPFC

[Autom. eng. transl.] INTRODUCTION Recent studies suggest the need to adopt an integrative modality in the study of memory that takes into account simultaneously the emotional and cognitive dimension. Recently the hypothesis that identifies the Lateral Prefrontal Cortex (PLC) as the seat assigned to the integration of these components has been proposed. Frontal networks seem to be specifically implicated in memory processes, in particular, working memory, with effects on information consolidation mechanisms. The present study, through the use of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), aims to investigate the complex interaction between memory processes and emotions, Secondly we intend to understand the role played by some factors such as anxiety trait, in involvement of specific memory processes as well as the effect produced on brain areas. METHOD A sample of 28 subjects was given a recognition task consisting of verbal material (word lists) with emotional or neutral content. The subjects were also evaluated with reference to the level of anxiety (Stait-Trait Anxiety Inventory). During information retrieval an rTMS was induced on the left prefrontal dorsolateral cortex (stimulation condition; sham; control, CZ). RESULTS Through the application of a set of ANOVAs with repeated measures on the recognition accuracy variables and TR, the results obtained suggest that memory processes are influenced by multiple factors, since the emotional content appears to affect the mnestic performance of subjects in a different direction , in relation to the different levels of anxiety and the condition of stimulation. CONCLUSIONS The present study provides evidence in favor of the influence of the emotional content on the mnemonic processes, of the anxiety trait and of the specific role that the frontal network possesses in modulating memories with emotional content.