Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

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...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Primary visual cortex BOLD responses to relative localization of sounds at 7T.

iScience·2026

Same author

Dr-MUSIC: An Effective Device for Investigating Multisensory Mechanisms during Development with EEG recordings<sup></sup>.

Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual International Conference·2023

Same author

MultiTab: A Novel Portable Device to Evaluate Multisensory Skills<sup></sup>.

Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual International Conference·2023

Same author

Task-dependent spatial processing in the visual cortex.

Human brain mapping·2023

Same author

Audio drawing and working memory in blindness: design, development and validation of a multi-sensory system.

Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual International Conference·2022

Same author

Distinct brain signatures of content and structure violation during action observation.

Neuropsychologia·2015

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 8, 2025

The Spatial Memory Game: Testing the Relationship Between Spatial Language, Object Knowledge, and Spatial Cognition

The Spatial Memory Game: Testing the Relationship Between Spatial Language, Object Knowledge, and Spatial Cognition

Published on: February 19, 2018

Audio-Corsi: a novel system to evaluate audio-spatial memory skills.

W Setti, H Vitali, C Campus

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

|December 12, 2023

Summary

An afternoon nap significantly improved spatial memory (SM) performance in an auditory task, unlike a resting period. This suggests sleep enhances auditory spatial memory, similar to visual memory.

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Investigating the Effects of Mind-Body-Movement Practices on Brain Function

Author Spotlight: Investigating the Effects of Mind-Body-Movement Practices on Brain Function

Published on: January 26, 2024

A Method to Study Adaptation to Left-Right Reversed Audition

A Method to Study Adaptation to Left-Right Reversed Audition

Published on: October 29, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 8, 2025

The Spatial Memory Game: Testing the Relationship Between Spatial Language, Object Knowledge, and Spatial Cognition

The Spatial Memory Game: Testing the Relationship Between Spatial Language, Object Knowledge, and Spatial Cognition

Published on: February 19, 2018

Author Spotlight: Investigating the Effects of Mind-Body-Movement Practices on Brain Function

Author Spotlight: Investigating the Effects of Mind-Body-Movement Practices on Brain Function

Published on: January 26, 2024

A Method to Study Adaptation to Left-Right Reversed Audition

A Method to Study Adaptation to Left-Right Reversed Audition

Published on: October 29, 2018

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cognitive Psychology
Sensory Perception

Background:

Spatial memory (SM) is crucial for daily activities and linked to sleep.
Existing research on SM primarily focuses on visual input, with limited investigation into multi-sensory aspects.
Technological gaps have hindered the study of non-visual SM.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the impact of an afternoon nap on auditory spatial memory performance.
To introduce a novel acoustic system for assessing spatial memory.
To explore the relationship between sleep and auditory spatial memory.

Main Methods:

Development of a novel acoustic system using 3D audio spatial technology.
Implementation of an auditory version of the Corsi Block Tapping Task (Audio-Corsi).
Experimental design comparing memory span changes after a nap versus a wake rest period in five adult participants over two days.

Main Results:

A significant difference in memory span was observed between the 'Sleep' and 'Wake' days.
Memory span decreased from pre-test to post-test on the 'Wake' day.
Memory span increased from pre-test to post-test on the 'Sleep' day, indicating improvement.

Conclusions:

Sleep, specifically an afternoon nap, can enhance spatial memory in the auditory modality.
The developed acoustic technology and methodology are suitable for studying high-level cognitive skills in auditory sensory modalities.
This research opens avenues for studying cognitive functions in individuals with visual impairments or in settings where vision is compromised.