Mood-congruent memory bias is a critical characteristic of depression, but the underlying neural mechanism is largely unknown. Negative memory schemas might enhance encoding and consolidation of negative experiences, thereby contributing to the genesis and perpetuation of depressive pathology. To investigate this relationship, we aimed to perturb medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) processing, using neuronavigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) targeting the mPFC. Forty healthy volunteers first underwent a negative mood induction to activate negative schema processing after which they received either active inhibitory (N = 20) or control (N = 20) stimulation to the mPFC. Then, all participants performed the encoding of an emotional false memory task. Recall and recognition performance was tested the following morning. Polysomnographic data were recorded continuously during the night before and after encoding. We observed a significantly lower false recognition of negative critical lures following mPFC inhibition, but no differences in veridical memory. These findings were supported by reaction time data, showing a relative slower response to negative compared with positive critical lures. The current findings support previous causal evidence for a role of the mPFC in schema memory processing and further suggest a role of the mPFC in memory bias.

中文翻译：

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内侧前额叶皮层的经颅磁刺激降低了情绪记忆模式。

情绪一致记忆偏差是抑郁症的一个重要特征，但其潜在的神经机制在很大程度上是未知的。负面记忆模式可能会增强负面体验的编码和巩固，从而有助于抑郁病理的发生和延续。为了研究这种关系，我们旨在使用针对 mPFC 的神经导航经颅磁刺激 (TMS) 来扰乱内侧前额叶皮层 (mPFC) 处理。40 名健康志愿者首先接受消极情绪诱导以激活消极模式处理，然后他们接受对 mPFC 的主动抑制 (N = 20) 或控制 (N = 20) 刺激。然后，所有参与者都执行了情感错误记忆任务的编码。第二天早上测试了回忆和识别性能。在编码前后的晚上连续记录多导睡眠图数据。我们观察到在 mPFC 抑制后对负面关键诱饵的错误识别显着降低，但真实记忆没有差异。这些发现得到了反应时间数据的支持，显示与正面临界诱惑相比，对负面诱惑的反应相对较慢。目前的研究结果支持先前关于 mPFC 在模式记忆处理中的作用的因果证据，并进一步表明 mPFC 在记忆偏差中的作用。与积极的关键诱惑相比，对消极的反应相对较慢。目前的研究结果支持先前关于 mPFC 在模式记忆处理中的作用的因果证据，并进一步表明 mPFC 在记忆偏差中的作用。与积极的关键诱惑相比，对消极的反应相对较慢。目前的研究结果支持先前关于 mPFC 在模式记忆处理中的作用的因果证据，并进一步表明 mPFC 在记忆偏差中的作用。