The role of the precuneus in episodic memory

Functional neuroimaging studies of episodic memory retrieval have consistently revealed a range of memory-related influences on activation in the posteromedial parietal cortex, that is, the precuneus and surrounding areas including the posterior cingulate and retrosplenial cortices. After providing a brief outline on the functional neuroanatomy, connectivity, and behavioral correlates of the precuneus, this chapter surveys the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) literature on precuneus activation during episodic memory retrieval tasks. The possible role played by the precuneus in episodic memory is discussed, with special attention to the link between episodic memory consolidation and the default mode of brain function during the conscious resting state, as recently outlined by functional imaging studies.