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Working Memory

Working Memory

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 20, 2026

Examining the Characteristics of Episodic Memory using Event-related Potentials in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease

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EEG alpha power change during working memory encoding in adults with different memory performance levels.

Ruimin Wang, Risako Kamezawa, Aiko Watanabe

Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual International Conference

|October 25, 2017

Summary

Higher alpha power during memory encoding is linked to better working memory (WM) performance. Alpha rhythms may reflect the inhibition of irrelevant information, aiding memory capacity.

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Working Memory Training for Older Participants: A Control Group Training Regimen and Initial Intellectual Functioning Assessment

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Published on: September 20, 2020

Area of Science:

Cognitive Neuroscience
Neurophysiology
Psychology

Background:

Working memory (WM) capacity is crucial for daily functioning and declines in neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease.
Alpha rhythms (8-12 Hz brain oscillations) are implicated in memory processes.
Understanding the role of alpha power in WM encoding is essential for cognitive research.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate changes in alpha power during working memory encoding.
To examine the relationship between alpha power and individual working memory performance.

Main Methods:

A digit verbal span experiment was conducted.
Electroencephalography (EEG) was used to measure alpha power during memory encoding.

Main Results:

A positive correlation was found between alpha power during WM encoding and WM performance.
Individuals with higher alpha power exhibited superior memory recall.
A linear relationship between WM load and alpha power amplitude during encoding was not established.

Conclusions:

Alpha power during working memory encoding is positively associated with memory performance.
Alpha rhythms likely facilitate working memory by inhibiting irrelevant information.
Further research is needed to clarify the precise relationship between WM load and alpha power.