Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2025
07:03
Evaluation of Hemisphere Lateralization with Bilateral Local Field Potential Recording in Secondary Motor Cortex of Mice
Published on: July 31, 2019
6.8K
Propagating cortical waves coordinate sensory encoding and memory retrieval in the human brain.
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|July 9, 2024
Summary
The human brain switches between external sensory processing and internal memory retrieval every few seconds. This brain state switching, observed via fMRI, is crucial for cognitive functions like memory encoding and retrieval.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Human Brain Imaging
Background:
- Complex behavior requires balancing external sensory input with internal learned information.
- Previous studies in mice revealed the brain alternates between outward and inward cognitive modes every few seconds, marked by neuronal spiking cascades.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if a similar brain switching mechanism governs human brain operation.
- To analyze large fMRI datasets to identify patterns of brain activity related to cognitive states.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of large functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) datasets in humans.
- Observation of coherent, propagating brain activity waves.
- Concurrent measurement of human performance in a visual memory task.
- Monitoring of pupil size fluctuations.
Main Results:
- Human brain activity exhibits coherent, propagating waves every several seconds, transitioning from sensorimotor to default mode network regions.
- These brain waves coincide with pupil size fluctuations, indicating a link to arousal.
- Each wave cycle sequentially facilitated semantic information encoding and memory retrieval during a visual task.
- This switching phenomenon occurs across different behavioral states.
Conclusions:
- Human cognitive performance is regulated by an autonomous switching mechanism between external (exteroceptive) and internal (interoceptive) brain states.
- This brain switching is a conserved mammalian physiological feature, essential for integrating sensory and mnemonic information in daily behavior.
More Related Videos
07:52Multiscale Investigations of Cortical Processing by Integrating Laminar Polytrodes and Optogenetics with Micro Electrocorticography in Rodents
Published on: May 23, 2025
107
10:35Multi-layer Cortical Ca2+ Imaging in Freely Moving Mice with Prism Probes and Miniaturized Fluorescence Microscopy
Published on: June 13, 2017
31.1K
Related Concept Videos
01:24Somatosensory, Motor, and Association Cortex
468
The somatosensory cortex in the parietal lobes is crucial for interpreting sensory data such as touch, temperature, and proprioception. The somatosensory cortex, situated in the parietal lobes, plays a vital role in interpreting sensory information like touch, temperature, and proprioception—awareness of body position. This specialized brain region features an organized structure wherein neurons at the top primarily process sensations originating from the lower body. In contrast, those at...
468
01:14Motor and Sensory Areas of the Cortex
3.7K
The cerebral cortex, the brain's outermost layer, is pivotal in processing complex cognitive tasks, emotions, and various sensory inputs and executing voluntary motor activities. This intricate structure is divided into three primary functional areas: the motor areas, sensory areas, and association areas.
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex....
Motor Areas
The motor areas located in the frontal lobe are central to controlling voluntary movements. This region is further subdivided into the primary motor cortex and the premotor cortex....
3.7K
01:23Brain Waves
1.2K
Brain waves are electrical signals generated by the neurons in the brain, which are regularly monitored to measure mental activities. Brain waves and their frequency ranges can be measured using an electroencephalogram or EEG. There are four main types of brain waves, each with distinct characteristics:
1.2K
01:23Storage
83
A schema is a mental framework that helps individuals organize and interpret information. Schemata, formed from previous experiences, influence how we process new information: how we encode it, the inferences we make, and how we retrieve it. For instance, a schema for what a typical classroom looks like might include desks, a teacher's desk, a whiteboard, and students in such an environment. This expectation helps us quickly understand and navigate new classrooms without needing to analyze...
83
01:24Working Memory
151
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...
151
01:22Lobes of the Cerebrum
620
The cerebral cortex, a critical structure of the brain, is intricately divided into two hemispheres, each consisting of four distinct lobes: occipital, temporal, frontal, and parietal. These lobes function cooperatively to regulate various cognitive and sensory functions, forming the basis of our complex neural capabilities.
Frontal lobe
The frontal lobes, located behind the forehead, are the command center of our brain, controlling personality, intelligence, and voluntary muscle movements....
Frontal lobe
The frontal lobes, located behind the forehead, are the command center of our brain, controlling personality, intelligence, and voluntary muscle movements....
620