Abstract
We tested the effects of variation of stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) on visual working memory (WM) performance across different load levels and the underlying brain activation patterns using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in 48 healthy participants. Participants were instructed to memorise arrays of coloured squares and had to perform a match/non-match judgement on a probe stimulus after a jittered delay. We presented visual pattern masks at four SOAs after the offset of the memory array (100ms, 200ms, 400ms, and 800ms). Memory performance decreased with increased load and shortened SOA. Brain activation data showed significant effects of load (during encoding and retrieval), SOA (retrieval) and an interaction of load by SOA (encoding), mainly in frontal and parietal areas. There was also a direct relationship between successfully stored items and activation in the right inferior parietal lobule and the left middle frontal gyrus. The neurobehavioral results suggest that the frontal regions, together with the inferior parietal lobe, are associated with successful WM performance, especially under the most challenging conditions of high load and short SOAs.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
