A slice of π : An exploratory neuroimaging study of digit encoding and retrieval in a superior memorist

Abstract

Subject PI demonstrated superior memory using a variant of a Method of Loci (MOL) technique to recite the first digits of the mathematical constant π to more than 2¹⁶ decimal places. We report preliminary behavioral, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and brain volumetric data from PI. fMRI data collected while PI recited the first 540 digits of π (i.e., during retrieval) revealed increased activity in medial frontal gyrus and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Encoding of a novel string of 100 random digits activated motor association areas, midline frontal regions, and visual association areas. Volumetric analyses indicated an increased volume of the right subgenual cingulate, a brain region implicated in emotion, mentalizing, and autonomic arousal. Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI) testing indicated that PI is of average intelligence, and performance on mirror tracing, rotor pursuit, and the Silverman and Eals Location Memory Task revealed normal procedural and implicit memory. PI's performance on the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS-III) revealed average general memory abilities (50th percentile), but superior working memory abilities (99th percentile). Surprisingly, PI's visual memory (WMS-III) for neutral faces and common events was remarkably poor (3rd percentile). PI's self-report indicates that imagining affective situations and high emotional content is critical for successful recall. We speculate that PI's reduced memory for neutral/non-emotional faces and common events, and the observed increase in volume of the right subgenual cingulate, may be related to extensive practice with memorizing highly emotional material.

Keywords:

• Memory
• fMRI
• Mnemonics
• Method of loci
• Brain
• Emotion

The authors thank Dr Jason Royal for editorial comments. This work was supported in part by NIMH grants MHK02–74677, MH59139, and MH068318, and funding from the Thomas D. Klingenstein & Nancy D. Perlman Family Fund and the Suzanne Crosby Murphy Endowment at Columbia University. In addition, Amir Raz thanks the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute for supporting his final efforts on this project.

Notes

¹The counting task, relative to subvocalizing the same number over and over again at the same rate, generated cerebellar activations (Z = −19 and −25): a result that may relate to a timing model that outlines the mechanisms of rhythm and temporal control (Ivry, Spencer, Zelaznik, & Diedrichsen, 2002).

²Statistical significance holds when correcting for multiple comparisons using the moderate, but not conservative, confidence intervals (i.e., accounting for Type I errors).