Analogous computations in working memory input, output and motor gating: Electrophysiological and computational modeling evidence
Adaptive cognitive-control is achieved through a hierarchical cortico-striatal gating system that supports selective updating, maintenance, and retrieval of useful cognitive and motor information. Here, we developed a novel task that independently manipulated selective gating operations of working-memory (input), from working-memory (output), and in response (motor) and tested the neural dynamics and computational principles that support them. Increases in gating demands, captured by gate switches, were expressed by distinct EEG correlates at each gating level that evolved dynamically in partially overlapping time windows. EEG decoding analysis further showed that neural indexes of working-memory (category) and motor (action) representations were prioritized particularly when the corresponding gate was switching. Finally, the control mechanisms involved in gate switches were quantified by the drift diffusion model, showing elevated motor decision threshold in all gating levels. Together these results support the notion that cognitive gating operations scaffold on top of mechanisms involved in motor gating.