Behavioral and functional MRI study of attention shift in human verbal working memory

Zhi Hao Li; Xi Wen Sun; Zhao Xin Wang; Xiao Chu Zhang; Da Ren Zhang; Sheng He; Xiao Ping Hu

doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2003.08.043

Behavioral and functional MRI study of attention shift in human verbal working memory

Zhi Hao Li, Xi Wen Sun, Zhao Xin Wang, Xiao Chu Zhang, Da Ren Zhang, Sheng He, Xiao Ping Hu

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

35 Scopus citations

Abstract

The tripartite model of memory proposed the requirement of attentional switching when accessing different items in working memory [J. Exp. Psychol. Learn. Mem. Cogn. 27 (2001) 817]. This internal focus of attention is limited to just one item and the switching process is time-consuming [Mem. Cogn. 26 (1998) 263]. In the current study, given a three-digit list stored in working memory, we found that it took longer to shift attention in the direction of "Upstream" than "Downstream", and that each shift was a "single step" process. To investigate the neural basis of this type of attention switching, we performed a functional MRI study. The results revealed that at least three important brain areas are involved, including the left dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex, the cingulate gyrus, and the medial occipital cortex. These areas all showed greater activation in the attention shift condition compared to control conditions of no (or decreased) attention shift requirements. In addition, the hemodynamic activities in these areas are highly correlated, suggesting a strong functional connectivity between them. Taken together with evidence from several recent investigations, our results suggest that these areas each play an important and specific role in collaboratively supporting the function of attention shift in working memory.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	181-191
Number of pages	11
Journal	NeuroImage
Volume	21
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2003.08.043
State	Published - Jan 2004
Externally published	Yes

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We thank Patty Costello for her comments on an earlier version of this paper and Stephen LaConte for improving the quality of the writing. This research is supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China (39928005, 39970253), National Basic Research Program of China (G1998030509), Outstanding Oversees Chinese Scholars Fund of CAS, NIH (RO1MH55346, R01EB00321), Georgia Research Alliance, Whitaker Foundation, and James S McDonnell Foundation.

Keywords

Attention shift
Functional MRI
Working memory

Publisher link

10.1016/j.neuroimage.2003.08.043

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abstract = "The tripartite model of memory proposed the requirement of attentional switching when accessing different items in working memory [J. Exp. Psychol. Learn. Mem. Cogn. 27 (2001) 817]. This internal focus of attention is limited to just one item and the switching process is time-consuming [Mem. Cogn. 26 (1998) 263]. In the current study, given a three-digit list stored in working memory, we found that it took longer to shift attention in the direction of {"}Upstream{"} than {"}Downstream{"}, and that each shift was a {"}single step{"} process. To investigate the neural basis of this type of attention switching, we performed a functional MRI study. The results revealed that at least three important brain areas are involved, including the left dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex, the cingulate gyrus, and the medial occipital cortex. These areas all showed greater activation in the attention shift condition compared to control conditions of no (or decreased) attention shift requirements. In addition, the hemodynamic activities in these areas are highly correlated, suggesting a strong functional connectivity between them. Taken together with evidence from several recent investigations, our results suggest that these areas each play an important and specific role in collaboratively supporting the function of attention shift in working memory.",

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author = "Li, {Zhi Hao} and Sun, {Xi Wen} and Wang, {Zhao Xin} and Zhang, {Xiao Chu} and Zhang, {Da Ren} and Sheng He and Hu, {Xiao Ping}",

note = "Funding Information: We thank Patty Costello for her comments on an earlier version of this paper and Stephen LaConte for improving the quality of the writing. This research is supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China (39928005, 39970253), National Basic Research Program of China (G1998030509), Outstanding Oversees Chinese Scholars Fund of CAS, NIH (RO1MH55346, R01EB00321), Georgia Research Alliance, Whitaker Foundation, and James S McDonnell Foundation.",

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AU - He, Sheng

AU - Hu, Xiao Ping

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N2 - The tripartite model of memory proposed the requirement of attentional switching when accessing different items in working memory [J. Exp. Psychol. Learn. Mem. Cogn. 27 (2001) 817]. This internal focus of attention is limited to just one item and the switching process is time-consuming [Mem. Cogn. 26 (1998) 263]. In the current study, given a three-digit list stored in working memory, we found that it took longer to shift attention in the direction of "Upstream" than "Downstream", and that each shift was a "single step" process. To investigate the neural basis of this type of attention switching, we performed a functional MRI study. The results revealed that at least three important brain areas are involved, including the left dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex, the cingulate gyrus, and the medial occipital cortex. These areas all showed greater activation in the attention shift condition compared to control conditions of no (or decreased) attention shift requirements. In addition, the hemodynamic activities in these areas are highly correlated, suggesting a strong functional connectivity between them. Taken together with evidence from several recent investigations, our results suggest that these areas each play an important and specific role in collaboratively supporting the function of attention shift in working memory.

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Behavioral and functional MRI study of attention shift in human verbal working memory

Abstract

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Keywords

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