Neural regions associated with memories of Recalled Experiences of Death (REDs; authentic Near‑Death Experiences [NDEs]): a preliminary functional MRI study.

Reliving memories of recalled experiences of death (REDs), also known as authentic near-death experiences, engages brain networks involved in autobiographical memory and the default mode network, including the precuneus, posterior cingulate cortex, and medial prefrontal cortex. No activation was found in primary sensorimotor or limbic areas. The activation patterns were not consistent with those typically reported for primary sensory hallucinations, suggesting that these memories are vivid episodic recollections rather than imagined or false memories. The findings indicate that controlled reliving of REDs may be a useful paradigm for investigating multisensory autobiographical memory and neural processes related to conscious self-experience.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This observational study examined brain activation patterns when people relive their memories of recalled experiences of death (REDs), also known as authentic near-death experience (NDE) memories, using structural and functional MRI under normal cerebral perfusion in participants with clinically documented life-threatening events and loss of consciousness. Fifteen participants (7 women, 8 men; aged 18-75) were evaluated using two scanners. A block-design paradigm (recall RED-rest) was applied, with prior psychological training, physiological monitoring, and radiological review. Analysis was performed using SPM25. A whole-brain threshold was applied at an uncorrected level of p < 0.001 with a minimum cluster extent of k ≥ 10 voxels. Region-of-interest (ROI) analyses were performed using small-volume correction with voxel-wise family-wise error (FWE) correction (pFWE < 0.05). Significant activations were observed in the precuneus (BA7), posterior cingulate cortex (BA23/31), medial prefrontal cortex (BA10), dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (BA9/46), angular gyrus (BA39), secondary visual cortex (BA18/19), middle temporal gyrus (BA21), and orbitofrontal cortex (BA47). The parahippocampal region (BA36) showed a non-significant trend. No activation was found in primary sensorimotor or limbic areas. The reliving of RED/authentic NDE memories was associated with the engagement of brain networks implicated in autobiographical memory and the default mode network (DMN), suggesting the involvement of introspective and self-referential processes. The observed activation patterns were not consistent with those typically reported for primary sensory hallucinations. Controlled reliving of memories of REDs/authentic NDEs may represent a useful experimental paradigm for investigating multisensory autobiographical memory and neural processes related to conscious self-experience. These findings are consistent with vivid episodic recollection and differ from neural patterns commonly associated with imagined or false memories.