The neural basis of individual differences in working memory capacity: an fMRI study

Using fMRI, neural substrates of verbal working memory were investigated with respect to differences in working memory capacity. Listening-span test (LST), Listen, and Remember conditions were performed. Two subjects groups were selected: those who had large working memory capacities, labeled high-s...

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Published inNeuroImage (Orlando, Fla.) Vol. 18; no. 3; pp. 789 - 797
Main Authors Osaka, Mariko, Osaka, Naoyuki, Kondo, Hirohito, Morishita, Masanao, Fukuyama, Hidenao, Aso, Toshihiko, Shibasaki, Hiroshi
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Elsevier Inc 01.03.2003
Elsevier Limited
Subjects
Adult
Brain
Brain Mapping
Brain research
Cerebral Cortex - physiology
Dominance, Cerebral - physiology
Female
Gyrus Cinguli - physiology
Humans
Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
Individuality
Language
Listening
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Memory
Memory, Short-Term - physiology
Monitoring systems
Neuropsychological Tests
Prefrontal Cortex - physiology
Semantics
Speech Perception - physiology
Studies
Temporal Lobe - physiology
Verbal Learning - physiology
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Summary:Using fMRI, neural substrates of verbal working memory were investigated with respect to differences in working memory capacity. Listening-span test (LST), Listen, and Remember conditions were performed. Two subjects groups were selected: those who had large working memory capacities, labeled high-span subjects (HSS) according to the working memory span test, and those who had small working memory capacities, labeled low-span subjects (LSS). Significant activation was found mainly in three regions in comparison with resting control: left prefrontal cortex (PFC), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and temporal language area. For both groups, fMRI signal intensity increased in PFC during the LST condition compared to the Listen condition. A group difference was found in the ACC region; specifically, a significant increase in signal intensity was observed in ACC only for the HSS group and not for the LSS group. Behavioral data also showed that the performance was better in HSS than in LSS. These results indicate that the attention controlling system, supported by ACC, is more effective in HSS compared to that of LSS.
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ISSN:1053-8119
1095-9572
DOI:10.1016/S1053-8119(02)00032-0