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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 13, 2026

A Cognitive Paradigm to Investigate Interference in Working Memory by Distractions and Interruptions

A Cognitive Paradigm to Investigate Interference in Working Memory by Distractions and Interruptions

Published on: July 16, 2015

The medial prefrontal cortex is critical for memory retrieval and resolving interference.

Gregory J Peters¹, Christopher N David, Madison D Marcus

¹Department of Psychology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.

Learning & Memory (Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.)

|March 21, 2013

Summary

The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) helps resolve interference during learning and memory. Inactivating the mPFC impairs learning multiple odors but paradoxically aids learning new conflicting memories.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cognitive Neuroscience
Behavioral Neuroscience

Background:

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is crucial for behavioral flexibility, including strategy switching and response inhibition.
Resolving response conflict is a key aspect of behavioral flexibility, suggesting a role for the PFC in managing interference.
High interference during memory retrieval, similar to attentional tasks, implies a potential role for the PFC in memory processes.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in resolving interference during olfactory learning and memory.
To determine if the mPFC is necessary for tasks involving high interference, irrespective of strategic or attentional demands.

Main Methods:

Temporary inactivation of the rat mPFC using muscimol.
Testing rats on olfactory learning tasks with varying levels of interference, including concurrent learning and learning conflicting odor lists.

Main Results:

Rats with inactivated mPFC learned single odor discriminations but were impaired in learning multiple concurrent odors.
mPFC inactivation led to increased interference when learning conflicting odor discrimination lists.
Paradoxically, temporary mPFC inactivation during acquisition improved learning of new, conflicting odor memories, suggesting reduced interference.

Conclusions:

The mPFC plays a general role in resolving interference, which is essential for behavioral flexibility.
The mPFC is critical for acquiring and facilitating long-term retrieval of memories, particularly under conditions of high interference.
These findings highlight the mPFC's importance in managing competing information during learning and memory consolidation.