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Striatal contributions to working memory: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study in humans
Simon J G Lewis1, Anja Dove, Trevor W Robbins
1Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair, Forvie Site, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 2PY, UK. sjgl2@wbic.cam.ac.uk
The European Journal of Neuroscience
|February 27, 2004
Summary
This study reveals the caudate nucleus
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- The frontal cortex's role in executive functions is established.
- Subcortical contributions to executive functions require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neural circuitry of working memory subcomponents.
- To clarify the role of subcortical structures in executive functions.
Main Methods:
- Event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was employed.
- A verbal memory task tested maintenance, retrieval, and manipulation.
- Ten healthy volunteers participated.
Main Results:
- fMRI showed increased signal in the frontostriatal network during the task.
- Significant signal changes during information manipulation were localized to the caudate nuclei.
- This highlights the caudate nucleus's specific role in executive function.
Conclusions:
- The caudate nucleus plays a specific role in the manipulation aspect of working memory.
- This finding may explain cognitive deficits in frontostriatal neurodegenerative diseases.
- Suggests the caudate nucleus is crucial for executive functions.