Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 28, 2026
05:55
Modeling the Functional Network for Spatial Navigation in the Human Brain
Published on: October 13, 2023
1.7K
Functional connectivity supporting the selective maintenance of feature-location binding in visual working memory.
1Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University Kyoto, Japan.
Frontiers in Psychology
|June 12, 2014
Summary
Maintaining complex feature-location binding in visual working memory involves distinct brain network connectivity. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and hippocampus flexibly engage brain regions like the inferior precentral sulcus (infPreCS) for complex tasks and the superior parietal lobule (SPL) for simpler ones.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Maintaining object representations in visual working memory relies on feature-location binding.
- Interactions with dynamic environments necessitate complex cognitive control for selective feature-location binding maintenance.
- Understanding the neural mechanisms underlying complex feature-location binding is crucial for cognitive neuroscience.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate brain activity and functional connectivity during the maintenance of complex feature-location binding.
- To differentiate neural processes involved in complex (color-orientation-location) versus simple (color-location) feature-location binding.
- To elucidate the roles of specific brain regions, such as the DLPFC and hippocampus, in flexible cognitive control.
Main Methods:
- Event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was employed to measure brain activity.
- Participants performed a task requiring detection of changes in feature-location binding.
- Functional connectivity analyses examined interactions between brain regions during task performance.
Main Results:
- Univariate analyses revealed activation in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), hippocampus, and frontoparietal network during complex binding maintenance.
- Functional connectivity showed cooperation between the inferior precentral sulcus (infPreCS), DLPFC, and hippocampus for complex binding.
- Spatial updating of simple binding involved cooperation between the superior parietal lobule (SPL), DLPFC, and hippocampus.
Conclusions:
- Neural connectivity for complex feature-location binding is distinct from general memory load.
- The DLPFC and hippocampus dynamically modulate the frontoparietal network based on task demands.
- The infPreCS is implicated in complex feature-location binding maintenance, while the SPL is involved in simple binding spatial updating.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Working Memory
1.3K
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...
1.3K
01:21Association Areas of the Cortex
10.2K
Association areas are regions of the cerebral cortex that do not have a specific sensory or motor function. Instead, they integrate and interpret information from various sources to enable higher cognitive processes such as memory, learning, and decision-making. Some key association areas include the following:
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...
10.2K
01:13Functional Brain Systems: Reticular Formation
5.5K
The reticular formation is a complex network of gray and white matter located within the brainstem extending from the medulla to the midbrain.
Within the reticular formation, there are several distinct nuclei that can be classified into three broad categories. The Raphe nuclei are located along the midline of the brainstem. They are primarily known for their role in synthesizing and releasing serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood, appetite, sleep, and circadian rhythms. The...
Within the reticular formation, there are several distinct nuclei that can be classified into three broad categories. The Raphe nuclei are located along the midline of the brainstem. They are primarily known for their role in synthesizing and releasing serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood, appetite, sleep, and circadian rhythms. The...
5.5K
01:18Long-Term Memory
931
Long-term memory is a relatively permanent type of memory, capable of storing vast amounts of information over extended periods. Its storage capacity is generally considered unlimited.
Long-term memory can be categorized into two primary types: explicit and implicit memory. Explicit memory, also known as declarative memory, involves the conscious recollection of information that we deliberately try to remember, recall, and articulate. This type of memory encompasses specific facts, events, and...
Long-term memory can be categorized into two primary types: explicit and implicit memory. Explicit memory, also known as declarative memory, involves the conscious recollection of information that we deliberately try to remember, recall, and articulate. This type of memory encompasses specific facts, events, and...
931
01:26Visual System
2.3K
Light enters the eye through the cornea, a transparent, dome-shaped surface covering the surface of the eyeball that helps to direct and focus incoming light. This light is then channeled toward the pupil, an adjustable opening whose size is controlled by the iris. The iris, a pigmented muscle, regulates the amount of light entering the eye by contracting or dilating the pupil, thereby ensuring optimal light levels for clear vision.
Once through the pupil, the light passes through the lens, a...
Once through the pupil, the light passes through the lens, a...
2.3K
01:23Storage
526
A schema is a mental framework that helps individuals organize and interpret information. Schemata, formed from previous experiences, influence how we process new information: how we encode it, the inferences we make, and how we retrieve it. For instance, a schema for what a typical classroom looks like might include desks, a teacher's desk, a whiteboard, and students in such an environment. This expectation helps us quickly understand and navigate new classrooms without needing to analyze...
526