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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
10:38
A Cognitive Paradigm to Investigate Interference in Working Memory by Distractions and Interruptions
Published on: July 16, 2015
Mapping interference resolution across task domains: a shared control process in left inferior frontal gyrus.
James K Nelson1, Patricia A Reuter-Lorenz, Jonas Persson
1Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, 1012 East Hall, 530 Church Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1043, USA.
Brain Research
|December 30, 2008
Summary
This study found that the brain
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Functional neuroimaging studies have localized interference resolution to left inferior frontal regions for verbal working memory and semantic tasks.
- The overlap in activated regions suggests a potential domain-general mechanism for resolving interference.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether a common brain region in the left inferior frontal gyrus underlies interference resolution in both verbal working memory and semantic retrieval.
- To test the hypothesis of a domain-general interference resolution mechanism.
Main Methods:
- A within-subject design using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).
- Assessed brain activation during a verb generation task (semantic retrieval) and a verbal working memory task with proactive interference.
- Manipulated trial-specific proactive interference in the verbal working memory task.
Main Results:
- High interference trials in both tasks elicited activity in the midventrolateral region of the left inferior frontal gyrus.
- Significant overlap was observed between the brain regions activated by each task.
Conclusions:
- An elemental component of executive control, specifically interference resolution, is shared across verbal working memory and semantic memory retrieval.
- This shared mechanism can be mapped to a common area within the left inferior frontal gyrus.
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