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A Cognitive Paradigm to Investigate Interference in Working Memory by Distractions and Interruptions
Published on: July 16, 2015
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Complementary roles for primate frontal and parietal cortex in guarding working memory from distractor stimuli.
Simon Nikolas Jacob1, Andreas Nieder2
1Animal Physiology, Institute of Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany.
Neuron
|July 4, 2014
Summary
Working memory relies on more than just filtering distractions. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) actively maintains target information, while the ventral intraparietal area (VIP) provides the earliest neural signal for correct decisions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Working Memory Research
Background:
- The prefrontal cortex (PFC) and posterior parietal cortex are crucial for working memory.
- A prevailing theory suggests PFC neurons suppress distractors to filter irrelevant information.
Purpose of the Study:
- To challenge the view that distractor suppression is the primary mechanism for filtering irrelevant information in working memory.
- To investigate the roles of PFC and ventral intraparietal area (VIP) in managing task-relevant and irrelevant information.
Main Methods:
- Recorded single-unit activity from PFC and VIP in monkeys performing a delayed-match-to-numerosity task.
- Monkeys were trained to resist distracting stimuli during the working memory task.
Main Results:
- PFC neurons initially encoded distractors but then restored target information, predicting correct decisions.
- VIP neurons primarily encoded target numerosities throughout the trial.
- VIP's representation of target information was the earliest and most reliable neural correlate of behavior.
Conclusions:
- Distracting stimuli can be bypassed through active storage and retrieval of target information.
- Working memory involves complementary functions of frontal and parietal cortices in controlling memory content.
- This challenges the sole reliance on distractor suppression for filtering information.
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