Abstract

This chapter shows that episodic retrieval and source recollection are associated with frontal lobe function. The role of the prefrontal cortex in such retrieval tasks appears to be related to on-line control of memory activations. That is, extraneous information at the time of recollection can significantly interfere with episodic retrieval and source recollection. Such interference effects appear more significant for source recollection than for the recollection of item information. Boosting or supporting executive control can improve source memory performance in patients with frontal lobe lesions.