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Comparative Overview of Visuospatial Working Memory in Monkeys and Rats
Ken-Ichiro Tsutsui1, Kei Oyama1, Shinya Nakamura1
1Division of Systems Neuroscience, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University Sendai, Japan.
Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience
|December 27, 2016
Summary
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) plays a critical role in visuospatial working memory in both monkeys and rats. Research indicates similar neural mechanisms, specifically sustained delay activity, in comparable PFC regions of both species.
Area of Science:
- Systems Neuroscience
- Comparative Neurobiology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Visuospatial working memory mechanisms are well-studied in primates but less understood in rodents.
- Rodents are increasingly vital in neuroscience due to advanced research methods.
- Investigating conserved neural substrates for working memory across species is crucial.
Approach:
- Comparative overview of neural mechanisms underlying visuospatial working memory.
- Analysis of lesion studies and single-unit recordings in monkeys and rats.
- Examination of anatomical connections between prefrontal cortex regions.
Key Points:
- In monkeys, the ventral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (vDLPFC) is critical for visuospatial working memory, showing sustained delay activity.
- In rats, the dorsal medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) shows analogous functions and sustained delay activity.
- Both vDLPFC (monkeys) and dorsal mPFC (rats) are major targets of parieto-frontal projections.
Conclusions:
- The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is essential for working memory in both primates and rodents.
- Evidence suggests conserved neural underpinnings for visuospatial working memory across these species.
- This comparative approach deepens our understanding of working memory evolution and neural basis.
