Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2026
07:42
An Automated T-maze Based Apparatus and Protocol for Analyzing Delay- and Effort-based Decision Making in Free Moving Rodents
Published on: August 2, 2018
Beyond working memory: the role of persistent activity in decision making.
Clayton E Curtis1, Daeyeol Lee
1Department of Psychology and Center for Neural Science, New York University, 6 Washington Place, New York, NY 10003, USA.
Trends in Cognitive Sciences
|April 13, 2010
Summary
Persistent brain activity, initially linked to working memory, is now understood to support diverse cognitive functions beyond just memory recall. This includes crucial roles in decision-making and sensory processing.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Persistent neural activity is observed in various brain regions following stimuli.
- This activity is traditionally associated with working memory maintenance.
- The term 'persistent activity' is often used synonymously with working memory.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and expand the understanding of persistent neural activity.
- To explore cognitive processes beyond working memory that involve persistent activity.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on persistent neural activity.
- Analysis of findings across cortical and subcortical areas.
Main Results:
- Persistent activity is widespread across the brain, not limited to the prefrontal cortex.
- Evidence suggests persistent activity supports functions beyond working memory maintenance.
- Includes roles in perceptual decision-making and reward-based decision-making.
Conclusions:
- Persistent neural activity is a fundamental mechanism supporting multiple cognitive functions.
- Revises the narrow view of persistent activity solely as working memory.
- Highlights its broader implications for understanding brain function in decision-making.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:24Working Memory
Working memory refers to a combination of components, including short-term memory and attention, that allow an individual to hold information temporarily as we perform cognitive tasks. It is an essential cognitive function that enables the execution of complex tasks such as problem-solving, comprehension, and reasoning. Unlike short-term memory, which simply involves the storage of information for a brief period, working memory involves the active manipulation and processing of this information.
01:20Decision Making
Decision-making is a fundamental cognitive process that involves evaluating alternatives and selecting among them. This process can range from simple choices, such as deciding what to wear, to complex decisions, like choosing a major in college or a career path. The complexity of the decision often dictates the approach we use, which can be broadly categorized into two types: automatic and controlled decision-making.
Automatic decision-making is fast, intuitive, and relies on gut feelings...
Automatic decision-making is fast, intuitive, and relies on gut feelings...
01:14Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory
The cerebellum, while traditionally associated with motor control, also plays a crucial role in memory, particularly in procedural memory, which involves learning motor tasks that become automatic through repetition. For example, studies have shown that when the cerebellum is damaged, individuals or animals lose the ability to learn conditioned motor responses, such as the conditioned eye-blink response in classical conditioning experiments with rabbits. This study demonstrates the cerebellum's...
01:37Reason and Intuition
The human brain processes information for decision-making using one of two routes: an intuitive system and a rational system (Epstein, 1994; popularized by Kahneman, 2011 as System 1 and System 2, respectively). The intuitive system is quick, impulsive, and operates with minimal effort, relying on emotions or habits to provide cues for what to do next, while the rational system is logical, analytical, deliberate, and methodical. Research in neuropsychology suggests that the brain can only use...
01:14Decision Making: Traditional Method
The process of hypothesis testing based on the traditional method includes calculating the critical value, testing the value of the test statistic using the sample data, and interpreting these values.
First, a specific claim about the population parameter is decided based on the research question and is stated in a simple form. Further, an opposing statement to this claim is also stated. These statements can act as null and alternative hypotheses, out of which a null hypothesis would be a...
First, a specific claim about the population parameter is decided based on the research question and is stated in a simple form. Further, an opposing statement to this claim is also stated. These statements can act as null and alternative hypotheses, out of which a null hypothesis would be a...
01:19High-Level and Low-Level Awareness
Controlled processes in human consciousness represent high-alert mental states where individuals deliberately focus their attention on achieving specific goals. Controlled processes can be seen in situations like mastering new technology, where a person might become so absorbed that they ignore surrounding distractions. Such processes involve selective attention, requiring one to concentrate on particular elements of experience while disregarding others. These are governed by executive...