Analogical reasoning and prefrontal cortex: evidence for separable retrieval and integration mechanisms

Cereb Cortex. 2005 Mar;15(3):239-49. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhh126. Epub 2004 Jul 6.

Abstract

The present study examined the contributions of prefrontal cortex (PFC) subregions to two component processes underlying verbal analogical reasoning: semantic retrieval and integration. Event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired while subjects performed propositional analogy and semantic decision tasks. On each trial, subjects viewed a pair of words (pair 1), followed by an instructional cue and a second word pair (pair 2). On analogy trials, subjects evaluated whether pair 2 was semantically analogous to pair 1. On semantic trials, subjects indicated whether the pair 2 words were semantically related to each other. Thus, analogy--but not semantic--trials required integration across multiple retrieved relations. To identify regions involved in semantic retrieval, we manipulated the associative strength of pair 1 words in both tasks. Anterior left inferior PFC (aLIPC) was modulated by associative strength, consistent with a role in controlled semantic retrieval. Left frontopolar cortex was insensitive to associative strength, but was more sensitive to integration demands than was aLIPC, consistent with a role in integrating the products of semantic retrieval to evaluate whether distinct representations are analogous. Right dorsolateral PFC exhibited a profile consistent with a role in response selection rather than retrieval or integration. These findings indicate that verbal analogical reasoning depends on multiple, PFC-mediated computations.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Mapping / methods
  • Cognition / physiology*
  • Concept Formation / physiology*
  • Evoked Potentials / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Processes / physiology
  • Mental Recall / physiology*
  • Prefrontal Cortex / physiology*
  • Problem Solving / physiology*
  • Semantic Differential*
  • Task Performance and Analysis
  • Transfer, Psychology / physiology