Behavioural and functional anatomical correlates of... : NeuroReport (original) (raw)
Brain Imaging
Behavioural and functional anatomical correlates of deception in humans
Spence, Sean A.CA; Farrow, Tom F. D.; Herford, Amy E.; Wilkinson, Iain D.1; Zheng, Ying; Woodruff, Peter W. R.
SCANLab, Academic Department of Psychiatry and 1Section of Academic Radiology, University of Sheffield, The Longley Centre, Norwood Grange Drive, Sheffield S5 7JT, UK
CACorresponding Author
Received 6 June 2001; accepted 9 July 2001
Abstract
Brain activity in humans telling lies has yet to be elucidated. We developed an objective approach to its investigation, utilizing a computer-based interrogation and fMRI. Interrogatory questions probed recent episodic memory in 30 volunteers studied outside and 10 volunteers studied inside the MR scanner. In a counter-balanced design subjects answered specified questions both truthfully and with lies. Lying was associated with longer response times (p < 0.001) and greater activity in bilateral ventrolateral prefrontal cortices (p < 0.05, corrected). These findings were replicated using an alternative protocol. Ventrolateral prefrontal cortex may be engaged in generating lies or withholding the truth.
© 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.