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Related Concept Videos

Working Memory01:24

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 information.
Organization of the Nervous System01:13

Organization of the Nervous System

The nervous system is one of the most complex systems in our body. It is organized into two main divisions: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS).
The CNS, comprising the brain and spinal cord, houses billions of neurons. The brain is housed in the skull, while the spinal cord is linked to the brain through the foramen magnum of the occipital bone and is surrounded by the protective structure of the vertebral column. It is responsible for processing various...
Spinal Cord: Information Processing01:10

Spinal Cord: Information Processing

The spinal cord is an integral hub for motor and sensory information that enables the brain to communicate with the peripheral nervous system (PNS). This communication consists of relaying sensory data and transmission of motor commands.
Sensory Information Processing
Sensory information processing begins at the sensory receptors located in the skin and other tissues, which detect somatic sensory stimuli such as touch, temperature, or pain. These receptors function as catalysts, initiating...
Peripheral Nervous System: Ganglia and Nerves01:24

Peripheral Nervous System: Ganglia and Nerves

The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) is a crucial component of the body's neural network, extending beyond the central nervous system (CNS) to bridge the gap between the CNS and the external environment. It encompasses nerves, ganglia, and sensory receptors.
Nerves
The nerve is a bundle of axons that serves as the communication highway in the PNS. Each nerve is ensheathed in a protective layer of connective tissue called the epineurium. This outermost layer safeguards the nerve and supports the...
Nervous System01:21

Nervous System

The nervous system coordinates body functions through its complex network of nerve cells, enabling sensation and movement. It is divided into two primary parts: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The CNS is composed of the brain and the spinal cord. The brain acts as the body's control center, processing sensory information and coordinating responses. The spinal cord functions as a major signaling pathway for the brain and the rest of the body.
Extending...
Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory01:14

Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory

The cerebellum, while traditionally associated with motor control, also plays a crucial role in memory, particularly in procedural memory, which involves learning motor tasks that become automatic through repetition. For example, studies have shown that when the cerebellum is damaged, individuals or animals lose the ability to learn conditioned motor responses, such as the conditioned eye-blink response in classical conditioning experiments with rabbits. This study demonstrates the cerebellum's...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 13, 2026

An Appetitive Spatial Working Memory Task for Mice in a Semi-Automated 8-Arm Radial Maze, Reducing Fearful Memory Association in the Maze
14:24

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Published on: July 29, 2025

Flexible working memory in the human peripheral nervous system.

Sihan Yang1, Yueying Dong1, Anastasia Kiyonaga1

  • 1Department of Cognitive Science, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.

Current Biology : CB
|June 11, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Working memory content is flexibly distributed across the brain and motor systems. Eye and hand movements reveal how working memory (WM) representations shift based on behavioral demands and response methods.

Keywords:
distributed cognitioneye movementshand movementsoculomotor working memorysensorimotor recruitmentshort-term memory

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Neuroscience
  • Human Behavior

Background:

  • Working memory (WM) representations are adaptable and can be flexibly recruited to guide behavior.
  • Task-dependent signals in WM may extend to peripheral effectors, influencing actions.
  • Oculomotor signatures like gaze biases can reflect WM features, but their flexibility is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate adaptive distribution of working memory (WM) content across the nervous system based on behavioral demands.
  • To determine if eye and hand movements can express visual WM stimulus features.
  • To examine how the distribution of WM activity shifts with task context.

Main Methods:

  • A delayed recall task was employed with human participants.
  • Memory recall was manipulated using two response formats: drawing a line or adjusting a response wheel.
  • Continuous eye-tracking and stylus-tracking were used to record movements during WM maintenance.

Main Results:

  • Remembered orientations were decodable from subtle inflections in both gaze and hand movements during the WM maintenance period.
  • Decoding strength varied significantly based on the response format.
  • Gaze patterns better reflected memorized features in the wheel condition, whereas hand movements were more informative in the draw condition.

Conclusions:

  • Visually encoded working memory (WM) content is adaptively allocated to task-relevant motor effectors.
  • WM representations are balanced across peripheral activity to meet specific behavioral needs.
  • This adaptive allocation optimizes the guidance of goal-oriented actions based on current task demands.