Fabrication versus truth telling can be distinguished as a measure of cognitive load using fMRI in human subjects Meeting Abstract

  


Authors: Nunez, J. M.; Gutman, D.; Hirsch, J.
Abstract Title: Fabrication versus truth telling can be distinguished as a measure of cognitive load using fMRI in human subjects
Meeting Title: 32nd Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience
Abstract: During the act of deception one must not only be cognizant of the truth but further formulate a contradictory response. Using fMRI in human subjects we employed a simple question and answer paradigm to compare BOLD activity during the acts of providing truthful and false information. Our hypothesis is that there is an inherent increase in cognitive load during the act of deception. Eight subjects gave either truthful or untruthful answers to a series of simple, non-emotive questions. Questions were presented in both visual and auditory modalities. The results show an increase in BOLD signal between the truthful and untruthful conditions in distinct brain regions including the inferior, middle and superior frontal regions, cingulate and precentral brain regions. Six subjects underwent an analogous question and answer paradigm in which cognitive load was varied. These results showed increased BOLD activity within the same regions identified using the truthful/untruthful paradigm. Thus, we have identified a network of brain regions which show increased fMRI BOLD signal during the act of providing untruthful information and during an analogous task with increased cognitive load. These results are consistent with the original hypothesis that the act of deception requires an increased cognitive load.).
Keywords: bold signal; fabrication; cognitive load; truth telling
Journal Title: Society for Neuroscience Abstract Viewer and Itinerary Planner
Volume: 22
Meeting Dates: 2002 Nov 3-7
Meeting Location: Orlando, FL
ISSN: 1558-3635
Publisher: Society for Neuroscience  
Date Published: 2002-01-01
Language: English
ACCESSION: BCI:BCI200300268903
PROVIDER: biosis
Notes: Meeting Abstract: 78.9/Q-10 -- 32nd Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience -- Orlando, Florida, USA -- Society for Neuroscience -- Source: Biosis