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Reactivation of latent working memories with transcranial magnetic stimulation.


ABSTRACT: The ability to hold information in working memory is fundamental for cognition. Contrary to the long-standing view that working memory depends on sustained, elevated activity, we present evidence suggesting that humans can hold information in working memory via "activity-silent" synaptic mechanisms. Using multivariate pattern analyses to decode brain activity patterns, we found that the active representation of an item in working memory drops to baseline when attention shifts away. A targeted pulse of transcranial magnetic stimulation produced a brief reemergence of the item in concurrently measured brain activity. This reactivation effect occurred and influenced memory performance only when the item was potentially relevant later in the trial, which suggests that the representation is dynamic and modifiable via cognitive control. The results support a synaptic theory of working memory.

SUBMITTER: Rose NS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5221753 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Reactivation of latent working memories with transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Rose Nathan S NS   LaRocque Joshua J JJ   Riggall Adam C AC   Gosseries Olivia O   Starrett Michael J MJ   Meyering Emma E EE   Postle Bradley R BR  

Science (New York, N.Y.) 20161201 6316


The ability to hold information in working memory is fundamental for cognition. Contrary to the long-standing view that working memory depends on sustained, elevated activity, we present evidence suggesting that humans can hold information in working memory via "activity-silent" synaptic mechanisms. Using multivariate pattern analyses to decode brain activity patterns, we found that the active representation of an item in working memory drops to baseline when attention shifts away. A targeted pu  ...[more]

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