Miyamoto et al. (2017)

Causal neural network of metamemory for retrospection in primates

Science, 355(6321), 188-193

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DOI

Abstract

Are you aware how well you remember? Self-monitoring and evaluation of our own memory is a mental process called metamemory. For metamemory, we need access to information about the strength of our own memory traces. The brain structures and neural mechanisms involved in metamemory are completely unknown. Miyamoto et al. devised a test paradigm for metamemory in macaques, in which the monkeys judged their own confidence in remembering past experiences. The authors combined this approach with functional brain imaging to reveal the neural substrates of metamemory for retrospection. A specific region in the prefrontal brain was essential for meta mnemonic decision-making. Inactivation of this region caused selective impairment of metamemory, but not of memory itself. Science , this issue p. 188

Reference

Miyamoto, K., Osada, T., Setsuie, R., Takeda, M., Tamura, K., Adachi, Y., & Miyashita, Y. (2017). Causal neural network of metamemory for retrospection in primates. Science, 355(6321), 188-193. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aal0162

What Rests on This

2 mechanisms cite this source. Each finding below is quoted as it appears on that mechanism's own page.

Confidence Calibration Metacognition

Neural substrate

In macaques rating confidence in their recognition memory, reversibly inactivating prefrontal area 9/46d impaired confidence judgments for remote memories and area 6 for recent ones, while recognition itself stayed intact

Metacognitive Control Metacognition

Neural substrate

In macaques making confidence judgments about their own recognition memory, reversible inactivation of prefrontal area 9/46d impaired metamemory for remote events and area 6 impaired it for recent events, without impairing recognition itself