Prefrontal cortex fMRI signal changes are correlated with working memory load
Abstract
We investigated whether a nonspatial working memory (WM) task would activate dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and whether activation would be correlated with WM load. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging we measured regional brain signal changes in 12 normal subjects performing a continuous performance, choice reaction time task that requires WM. A high WM load condition was compared with a non-WM choice reaction time control condition (WM effect) and a low WM load condition (load effect). Significant changes in signal intensity occurred in the DLPFC, frontal motor regions and the intraparietal sulcus (IPS) in both comparisons. These findings support the role of DLPFC and IPS in WM and suggest that signal changes in DLPFC correlate with WM load.
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Functional magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography studies have established that cognitive workload can be measured in the prefrontal cortex.
“Functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) studies have established that cognitive workload can be measured in the prefrontal cortex [11,29].”
From Learn Piano with BACh: An Adaptive Learning Interface that Adjusts Task Difficulty Based on Brain State (2016) · cites this paper as [29]
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- Authors
- Manoach, D. S., Schlaug, G., Siewert, B., Darby, D. G., Bly, B. M., Benfield, A., Edelman, R. R., & Warach, S.
- Affiliations
- Harvard University (US)
- The Royal Melbourne Hospital (AU)
- Venue
- NeuroReport
- Published
- 1997-01
- Volume
- 8
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 545-549
- ISSN
- 0959-4965 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2133215332
- Cited by
- 261
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 11
- FWCI
- 4.30
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Neuroreport (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Abilities and Testing
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neurobiology of Language and Bilingualism
- Keywords
- working memory, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, intraparietal sulcus, working memory load, continuous performance test, choice reaction time
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Humans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Memory, Task Performance and Analysis, Prefrontal Cortex
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