Keeping meanings in mind: Evidence for an independent semantic working memory system

The working memory model with distributed executive control accounts for the interactions between working memory and multi-tasking performance. The working memory system supports planned actions by relying on two capacity-limited domain-general and two time-limited domain-specific modules. Domain-general modules are the episodic buffer and the executive module. The episodic buffer stores multimodal representations and uses attentional refreshment to counteract information loss and to consolidate information in episodic long-term memory. The executive module maintains domain-general information relevant for the current task. The phonological buffer and the visuospatial module are domain specific; the former uses inner speech to maintain and to rehearse phonological information, whereas the latter holds visual and spatial representations active by means of image revival. For its operation, working memory interacts with declarative and procedural long-term memory, gets input from sensory registers, and uses the motor system for output.

Download Full-text

An fMRI Study of Functional Abnormalities in the Verbal Working Memory System and the Relationship to Clinical Symptoms in Chronic Schizophrenia

Cerebral Cortex ◽

10.1093/cercor/bhp079 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 46-60 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Ryu-ichiro Hashimoto ◽

KangUk Lee ◽

Alexander Preus ◽

Robert W. McCarley ◽

Cynthia G. Wible

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Clinical Symptoms ◽

Verbal Working Memory ◽

Chronic Schizophrenia ◽

Memory System ◽

Fmri Study ◽

The Relationship

Download Full-text

Processing efficiency of a verbal working memory system is modulated by amphetamine: an fMRI investigation

Psychopharmacology ◽

10.1007/s00213-005-0025-4 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 180 (4) ◽

pp. 634-643 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Christine M. Tipper ◽

Tara A. Cairo ◽

Todd S. Woodward ◽

Anthony G. Phillips ◽

Peter F. Liddle ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Verbal Working Memory ◽

Memory System ◽

Processing Efficiency

Download Full-text

Very Early Brain Damage Leads to Remodeling of the Working Memory System in Adulthood: A Combined fMRI/Tractography Study

Journal of Neuroscience ◽

10.1523/jneurosci.4769-14.2015 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 35 (48) ◽

pp. 15787-15799 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

S. Froudist-Walsh ◽

V. Karolis ◽

C. Caldinelli ◽

P. J. Brittain ◽

J. Kroll ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Brain Damage ◽

Memory System

Download Full-text

Anterior thalamic nuclei neurons sustain memory

10.1101/2021.08.25.457615 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

S. C. Barnett ◽

L.C. Parr-Brownlie ◽

B. A. L. Perry ◽

C. K. Young ◽

H. E. Wicky ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Electrical Activity ◽

Spatial Working Memory ◽

Memory Function ◽

Memory System ◽

Mammillary Body ◽

Thalamic Nuclei ◽

Anterior Thalamus ◽

Anterior Thalamic Nuclei ◽

Mammillothalamic Tract

AbstractA hippocampal-diencephalic-cortical network supports memory function. The anterior thalamic nuclei (ATN) form a key anatomical hub within this system. Consistent with this, injury to the mammillary body-ATN axis is associated with examples of clinical amnesia. However, there is only limited and indirect support that the output of ATN neurons actively enhances memory. Here, in rats, we first showed that mammillothalamic tract (MTT) lesions caused a persistent impairment in spatial working memory. MTT lesions also reduced rhythmic electrical activity across the memory system. Next, we introduced 8.5 Hz optogenetic theta-burst stimulation of the ATN glutamatergic neurons. The exogenously-triggered, regular pattern of stimulation produced an acute and substantial improvement of spatial working memory in rats with MTT lesions and enhanced rhythmic electrical activity. Neither behaviour nor rhythmic activity was affected by endogenous stimulation derived from the dorsal hippocampus. Analysis of immediate early gene activity, after the rats foraged for food in an open field, showed that exogenously-triggered ATN stimulation also increased Zif268 expression across memory-related structures. These findings provide clear evidence that increased ATN neuronal activity supports memory. They suggest that ATN-focused gene therapy may be feasible to counter clinical amnesia associated with dysfunction in the mammillary body-ATN axis.HighlightsThe mammillothalamic tract (MTT) supports neural activity in an extended memory system.Optogenetic activation of neurons in the anterior thalamus acutely improves memory after MTT lesions.Rescued memory associates with system-wide neuronal activation and enhanced EEG.Anterior thalamus actively sustains memory and is a feasible therapeutic target.Abstract FigureOptostimulation of anterior thalamus restores memory function after MTT lesionsCreated with BioRender.com

Download Full-text

Evidence for a Visuo-Spatial Scratch-Pad in Working Memory

The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology Section A ◽

10.1080/14640748608401620 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 38 (4) ◽

pp. 675-688 ◽

Cited By ~ 123

Author(s):

Eric W. Farmer ◽

Jonathan V. F. Berman ◽

Yvonne L. Fletcher

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Articulatory Suppression ◽

Spatial Reasoning ◽

Memory System ◽

Reasoning Task ◽

Verbal Reasoning ◽

Concurrent Performance

Experiments are reported which address the nature of the working memory system. Articulatory suppression (continuous recital of the digits 1 to 4) disrupted concurrent performance of a verbal reasoning task, but had no effect upon performance of a spatial reasoning task. In contrast, spatial suppression (continuous sequential tapping) produced reliable interference only with spatial reasoning. These findings are taken as consistent with Baddeley's argument for two slave systems in working memory: the articulatory loop and the more controversial visuo-spatial scratch-pad.

Download Full-text

Face Recognition Memory and Configural Processing: A Developmental ERP Study using Upright, Inverted, and Contrast-Reversed Faces

Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience ◽

10.1162/089892904322926818 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 487-502 ◽

Cited By ~ 93

Author(s):

Roxane J. Itier ◽

Margot J. Taylor

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Face Recognition ◽

Recognition Memory ◽

Face Processing ◽

Age Groups ◽

Memory System ◽

Configural Processing ◽

Repetition Effects ◽

Quantitative Development ◽

Unfamiliar Faces

The effects of configural changes on faces were investigated in children to determine their role in encoding and recognition processes. Upright, inverted, and contrast-reversed unfamiliar faces were presented in blocks in which one-third of the pictures repeated immediately or after one intervening face. Subjects (8–16 years) responded to repeated faces; eventrelated potentials were recorded throughout the procedure. Recognition improved steadily with age and all components studied showed age effects reflecting differing maturation processes occurring until adulthood. All children were affected by inversion and contrast-reversal, and face-type effects were seen on latencies and amplitudes of early components (P1 and N170), as well as on later frontal amplitudes. The “old-new” repetition effects (larger amplitude for repeated stimuli) were found at frontal sites and were similar across age groups and face types, suggesting a general working memory system comparably involved in all age groups. These data demonstrate that (1) there is quantitative development in face processing, (2) both face encoding and recognition improve with age, but (3) only encoding is affected by configural changes. The data also suggest a gradual tuning of face processing towards the upright orientation.

Download Full-text