Microstate Dynamics in Working Memory: Exploring Spatial Information Coding of Stimulus and Behavioral Performance

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Brain Dynamics

Background:

• Electroencephalography (EEG) microstate analysis reveals brain activity patterns during cognitive tasks.
• Canonical microstates (A, B, C, D) are linked to cognitive functions, but their relation to working memory (WM) performance needs further investigation.
• This study explores EEG microstate dynamics during a memory-guided saccade (MGS) task to understand their link with WM.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between EEG microstate parameters and working memory performance during a memory-guided saccade task.
• To determine how microstate dynamics, particularly microstate D, contribute to spatial coding and behavioral accuracy in WM.
• To identify neural signatures of WM performance using microstate transitions.

Main Methods:

• EEG and eye-tracking data were collected from participants performing an MGS task with near and far target eccentricities.
• Saccade error served as the behavioral measure of WM performance.
• Microstate parameters (occurrence, coverage, duration, transition probability) were calculated for canonical microstates.

Main Results:

• Microstate C coverage decreased during memory maintenance, while microstate D duration increased.
• Transition probability from microstate D+ to D- correlated with saccade errors, predicting WM performance.
• Distinct microstate D transition patterns were observed between near and far target conditions, indicating a role in spatial coding.

Conclusions:

• EEG microstate dynamics, especially microstate D, play a significant role in spatial working memory, supporting information coding and predicting performance.
• Polarity-specific transitions within microstate D serve as a neural signature for WM accuracy.
• Findings enhance understanding of network-level mechanisms in spatial memory and saccade control.