Interactions between external and internal attention processes during working memory

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Neuroscience
• Psychology

Background:

• Internally and externally driven attention (IDA and EDA) in visual working memory have been studied separately.
• Growing evidence suggests close interaction between IDA and EDA during working memory.
• Previous EEG studies often failed to modulate both IDA and EDA simultaneously, limiting neural interaction insights.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the neural interplay between IDA and EDA within a single visual working memory task.
• To introduce a novel paradigm, the PUMA Task, for simultaneous manipulation of IDA and EDA.
• To provide a more comprehensive understanding of how these two attentional processes interact.

Main Methods:

• Developed the PUMA Task for concurrent manipulation of IDA and EDA.
• Varied memory load (number of items) and stimulus complexity to modulate attention.
• Utilized EEG, eye-tracking (pupillometry, fixation disparity), and behavioral response times.

Main Results:

• EEG power spectra, pupillometry, fixation disparity, and reaction times reflected the IDA-EDA interaction.
• Alpha-beta cross-frequency coupling was predominantly influenced by EDA.
• Demonstrated sensitivity of measures to the interplay between internal and external attention.

Conclusions:

• The PUMA task effectively probes the interaction between IDA and EDA in visual working memory.
• IDA and EDA are distinct yet dynamically interacting processes impacting working memory.
• This task aids in assessing attentional subprocesses in neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders.