Neural Correlates of Emotional Retrieval Orientation: An electrophysiological investigation into strategic retrieval processing of emotional memories

Abstract: Retrieval Orientation refers to the differential processing of memory retrieval cues according to the sought after information (Rugg & Wilding, 2000). The study manipulated the orientation effect by varying the retrieval demand on a block basis using two emotional source recognition conditions and a non-emotional old-new recognition condition. Event-Related Potentials (ERPs) evoked by new faces in the two emotional conditions differed reliably from those of the non-emotional condition. The ERPs of the former conditions were more negative than those of the latter non-emotional condition from 200-400 and 500 -700msec post-stimulus, showing a frontal and mid centre parietal distribution respectively. From 900 -1100msec the critical ERPs from the former conditions were more positive going than the later non-emotional condition, showing a frontal distribution. Valence congruent relationships were additionally found between emotional retrieval orientation, emotional memory retrieval and degrees of wellbeing.