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Temporal dynamics of brain activation during a working memory task

Author

Listed:
  • Jonathan D. Cohen

    (Carnegie Mellon University
    University of Pittsburgh)

  • William M. Perlstein

    (University of Pittsburgh)

  • Todd S. Braver

    (Carnegie Mellon University)

  • Leigh E. Nystrom

    (University of Pittsburgh)

  • Douglas C. Noll

    (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center)

  • John Jonides

    (University of Michigan)

  • Edward E. Smith

    (University of Michigan)

Abstract

Working memory is responsible for the short-term storage and online manipulation of information necessary for higher cognitive functions, such as language, planning and problem-solving1,2. Traditionally, working memory has been divided into two types of processes: executive control (governing the encoding manipulation and retrieval of information in working memory) and active maintenance (keeping information available 'online'). It has also been proposed that these two types of processes may be subserved by distinct cortical structures, with the prefrontal cortex housing the executive control processes, and more posterior regions housing the content-specific buffers (for example verbal versus visuospatial) responsible for active maintenance3,4. However, studies in non-human primates suggest that dorsolateral regions of the prefrontal cortex may also be involved in active maintenance5–8. We have used functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine brain activation in human subjects during performance of a working memory task. We used the temporal resolution of this technique to examine the dynamics of regional activation, and to show that prefrontal cortex along with parietal cortex appears to play a role in active maintenance.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonathan D. Cohen & William M. Perlstein & Todd S. Braver & Leigh E. Nystrom & Douglas C. Noll & John Jonides & Edward E. Smith, 1997. "Temporal dynamics of brain activation during a working memory task," Nature, Nature, vol. 386(6625), pages 604-608, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:386:y:1997:i:6625:d:10.1038_386604a0
    DOI: 10.1038/386604a0
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    Cited by:

    1. Devetag, Giovanna & Warglien, Massimo, 2003. "Games and phone numbers: Do short-term memory bounds affect strategic behavior?," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 24(2), pages 189-202, April.
    2. Angelika Dimoka & Paul A. Pavlou & Fred D. Davis, 2011. "Research Commentary ---NeuroIS: The Potential of Cognitive Neuroscience for Information Systems Research," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 22(4), pages 687-702, December.
    3. Deck, Cary & Jahedi, Salar & Sheremeta, Roman, 2021. "On the consistency of cognitive load," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    4. Stefan Kolata & Kenneth Light & Christopher D Wass & Danielle Colas-Zelin & Debasri Roy & Louis D Matzel, 2010. "A Dopaminergic Gene Cluster in the Prefrontal Cortex Predicts Performance Indicative of General Intelligence in Genetically Heterogeneous Mice," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 5(11), pages 1-10, November.
    5. Valeria Faralla & Francesca Benuzzi & Fausta Lui & Patrizia Baraldi & Paolo Nichelli & Nicola Dimitri, 2010. "Gains and Losses: A Common Neural Network for Economic Behaviour," Labsi Experimental Economics Laboratory University of Siena 033, University of Siena.
    6. Xue Wen & Delong Zhang & Bishan Liang & Ruibin Zhang & Zengjian Wang & Junjing Wang & Ming Liu & Ruiwang Huang, 2015. "Reconfiguration of the Brain Functional Network Associated with Visual Task Demands," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(7), pages 1-16, July.
    7. Carrillo, Juan & Brocas, Isabelle & Combs, T. Dalton, 2015. "Consistency in Simple vs. Complex Choices over the Life Cycle," CEPR Discussion Papers 10457, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    8. repec:cup:judgdm:v:3:y:2008:i::p:181-190 is not listed on IDEAS
    9. Adam Sanjurjo, 2015. "Search, Memory, and Choice Error: An Experiment," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(6), pages 1-16, June.
    10. Laura Boubert & James Barnes, 2015. "Phenomenology of Visual Hallucinations and Their Relationship to Cognitive Profile in Parkinson’s Disease Patients," SAGE Open, , vol. 5(2), pages 21582440155, May.
    11. Brocas, Isabelle & Carrillo, Juan D. & Combs, T. Dalton & Kodaverdian, Niree, 2019. "Consistency in simple vs. complex choices by younger and older adults," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 157(C), pages 580-601.
    12. Benhabib, Jess & Bisin, Alberto, 2005. "Modeling internal commitment mechanisms and self-control: A neuroeconomics approach to consumption-saving decisions," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 52(2), pages 460-492, August.
    13. Antonella Conte & Lorenzo Rocchi & Andrea Nardella & Sabrina Dispenza & Alessandra Scontrini & Nashaba Khan & Alfredo Berardelli, 2012. "Theta-Burst Stimulation-Induced Plasticity over Primary Somatosensory Cortex Changes Somatosensory Temporal Discrimination in Healthy Humans," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 7(3), pages 1-8, March.
    14. Jonathan T Mall & Candice C Morey, 2013. "High Working Memory Capacity Predicts Less Retrieval Induced Forgetting," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(1), pages 1-7, January.
    15. Dickinson, David L. & Drummond, Sean P. A., 2008. "The effects of total sleep deprivation on bayesian updating," Judgment and Decision Making, Cambridge University Press, vol. 3(2), pages 181-190, February.

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