scholarly journals Spike count correlations between primate dorsolateral prefrontal cortex neurons during a spatial working memory task

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1267-1267
Author(s):  
J. Martinez-Trujillo ◽  
M. Leavitt ◽  
M. Schneiderman
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Spatial Working Memory ◽  
Memory Task ◽  
Spike Count ◽  
Dorsolateral Prefrontal

Task-relevant Output Signals are Sent from Monkey Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex to the Superior Colliculus during a Visuospatial Working Memory Task

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 1023-1038 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Johnston ◽  
Stefan Everling
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Superior Colliculus ◽  
Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Spatial Working Memory ◽  
Memory Task ◽  
Projection Neurons ◽  
Visuospatial Working Memory ◽  
Cortical Function ◽  
Dorsolateral Prefrontal

Visuospatial working memory is one of the most extensively investigated functions of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Theories of prefrontal cortical function have suggested that this area exerts cognitive control by modulating the activity of structures to which it is connected. Here, we used the oculomotor system as a model in which to characterize the output signals sent from the DLPFC to a target structure during a classical spatial working memory task. We recorded the activity of identified DLPFC–superior colliculus (SC) projection neurons while monkeys performed a memory-guided saccade task in which they were required to generate saccades toward remembered stimulus locations. DLPFC neurons sent signals related to all aspects of the task to the SC, some of which were spatially tuned. These data provide the first direct evidence that the DLPFC sends task-relevant information to the SC during a spatial working memory task, and further support a role for the DLPFC in the direct modulation of other brain areas.

scholarly journals Prefrontal and Parietal Attractor Networks Mediate Working Memory Judgments

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sihai Li ◽  
Christos Constantinidis ◽  
Xue-Lian Qi
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Memory Task ◽  
Delayed Response ◽  
Persistent Activity ◽  
Neural Basis ◽  
Brain Areas ◽  
Dorsolateral Prefrontal

ABSTRACTThe dorsolateral prefrontal cortex plays a critical role in spatial working memory and its activity predicts behavioral responses in delayed response tasks. Here we addressed whether this predictive ability extends to categorical judgments based on information retained in working memory, and is present in other brain areas. We trained monkeys in a novel, Match-Stay, Nonmatch-Go task, which required them to observe two stimuli presented in sequence with an intervening delay period between them. If the two stimuli were different, the monkeys had to saccade to the location of the second stimulus; if they were the same, they held fixation. Neurophysiological recordings were performed in areas 8a and 46 of the dlPFC and 7a and lateral intraparietal cortex (LIP) of the PPC. We hypothesized that random drifts causing the peak activity of the network to move away from the first stimulus location and towards the location of the second stimulus would result in categorical errors. Indeed, for both areas, when the first stimulus appeared in a neuron’s preferred location, the neuron showed significantly higher firing rates in correct than in error trials. When the first stimulus appeared at a nonpreferred location and the second stimulus at a preferred, activity in error trials was higher than in correct. The results indicate that the activity of both dlPFC and PPC neurons is predictive of categorical judgments of information maintained in working memory, and the magnitude of neuronal firing rate deviations is revealing of the contents of working memory as it determines performance.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe neural basis of working memory and the areas mediating this function is a topic of controversy. Persistent activity in the prefrontal cortex has traditionally been thought to be the neural correlate of working memory, however recent studies have proposed alternative mechanisms and brain areas. Here we show that persistent activity in both the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and posterior parietal cortex predicts behavior in a working memory task that requires a categorical judgement. Our results offer support to the idea that a network of neurons in both areas act as an attractor network that maintains information in working memory, which informs behavior.

Discovering spatial working memory fields in prefrontal cortex

2005 ◽  
Vol 93 (6) ◽  
pp. 3027-3028 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Jing Wang
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Spatial Working Memory ◽  
Visual Space ◽  
Historical Significance ◽  
Dorsolateral Prefrontal ◽  
Classic Paper

This essay looks at the historical significance of one APS classic paper that is freely available online: Funahashi S, Bruce CJ, and Goldman-Rakic PS. Mnemonic coding of visual space in the monkey's dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. J Neurophysiol 61: 331–349, 1989 ( http://jn.physiology.org/cgi/reprint/61/2/331 ).

Drifts in Prefrontal and Parietal Neuronal Activity Influence Working Memory Judgments

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sihai Li ◽  
Christos Constantinidis ◽  
Xue-Lian Qi
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex ◽  
Posterior Parietal Cortex ◽  
Spatial Working Memory ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Predictive Ability ◽  
Neuronal Firing ◽  
Delayed Response ◽  
Dorsolateral Prefrontal

Abstract The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) plays a critical role in spatial working memory and its activity predicts behavioral responses in delayed response tasks. Here, we addressed if this predictive ability extends to other working memory tasks and if it is present in other brain areas. We trained monkeys to remember the location of a stimulus and determine whether a second stimulus appeared at the same location or not. Neurophysiological recordings were performed in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and posterior parietal cortex (PPC). We hypothesized that random drifts causing the peak activity of the network to move away from the first stimulus location and toward the location of the second stimulus would result in categorical errors. Indeed, for both areas, in nonmatching trials, when the first stimulus appeared in a neuron’s preferred location, the neuron showed significantly higher firing rates in correct than in error trials; and vice versa, when the first stimulus appeared at a nonpreferred location, activity in error trials was higher than in correct. The results indicate that the activity of both dlPFC and PPC neurons is predictive of categorical judgments of information maintained in working memory, and neuronal firing rate deviations are revealing of the contents of working memory.

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