The Cognitive Neuroscience of Realizing Delayed Intentions

Abstract

Neuroscience methodologies used to understand prospective memory are being applied widely. In this chapter, we review various methods that address how people store intentions and how they share and schedule task prospective memory goals alongside other ongoing cognitive activities. A major focus is on relatively contemporary research using fMRI, PET, and ERP methodologies. Such research has focused primarily on event-based prospective memory and on the distinction between transient and sustained attentional processing associated with holding or retrieving an intention. We also address recent neuroscientific frameworks that have been developed to account for the role that various brain areas have in supporting prospective memory, including the distinction between processes involved with focal versus nonfocal prospective memory retrieval.