Relationship between working memory performance and neural activation measured using near-infrared spectroscopy

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Working memory (WM) is crucial for higher cognitive functions.
• Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) offers noninvasive brain imaging.
• NIRS application for WM performance evaluation remains unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the efficacy of NIRS in measuring WM performance.
• To investigate the relationship between NIRS signals and WM task outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Participants engaged in a visuospatial WM task.
• NIRS data from the lateral prefrontal cortex were analyzed.
• Correlations between NIRS signal amplitudes and WM performance were examined.

Main Results:

• NIRS activation across all channels correlated significantly with WM performance.
• Significant differences in NIRS amplitudes were observed between correct and incorrect WM trials.
• NIRS activation during WM delay periods, specifically in correct trials, correlated with performance.

Conclusions:

• Higher WM performance is associated with increased oxyhemoglobin activation detected by NIRS.
• NIRS shows promise as a valuable tool for assessing WM performance.