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Published on: September 11, 2017
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Neural dissociation of attention and working memory through inhibitory control
Yueyao Liu1, Yingtao Fu1, Enze Tang1
1Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
Nature Communications
|December 2, 2025
Summary
Attention and working memory (WM) are dissociable, not a continuous process. The supramarginal gyrus (SMG) uses inhibitory control to regulate information selection for WM, challenging traditional views.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Neuroimaging
- Human Brain Research
Background:
- Attention and working memory (WM) are traditionally viewed as interconnected cognitive functions.
- Attention is often described as a gatekeeper for WM, controlling information encoding and storage.
- Existing research suggests shared neural underpinnings for attention and WM.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neural dissociation between attention and WM encoding.
- To identify specific brain regions and mechanisms underlying this dissociation.
- To causally test the role of identified regions in regulating information selection for WM.
Main Methods:
- Multimodal approach combining functional MRI (fMRI), dynamic causal modeling (DCM), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
- Utilized tasks specifically designed to differentiate attentional processes from WM encoding.
- Employed neuromodulation techniques (tDCS and TMS) to establish causal links.
Main Results:
- Functional MRI identified the supramarginal gyrus (SMG) as a key region for dissociating attention and WM.
- Dynamic causal modeling revealed that SMG exerts inhibitory control over attentional representations for WM integration.
- Neuromodulation (tDCS and TMS) confirmed that enhancing SMG activity causally strengthens this inhibitory control, with generalizable effects.
Conclusions:
- Attention and WM encoding are distinct neural processes, challenging the view of a continuous relationship.
- The supramarginal gyrus plays a critical causal role in regulating information selection via inhibitory control.
- These findings provide a more nuanced understanding of the neural architecture supporting cognitive control and memory formation.
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