Pupillometry signatures of sustained attention and working memory

Keene, Paul A; deBettencourt, Megan T.; Awh, Edward; Vogel, Edward K.

doi:10.3758/s13414-022-02557-5

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…The pupil does not only respond to changes in visual input but also to internal factors such as cognitive activity. Pupil-size changes have been observed in a variety of tasks and contexts, such as problem solving, working memory, decision making, and attention (Alnæs et al, 2014; Hess & Polt, 1960, 1964; Kahneman & Beatty, 1966; Keene et al, 2022). In general, increases in task difficulty or processing load lead to pupil dilation irrespective of the specific cognitive processes involved, and larger pupils are often associated with better performance (for reviews see Beatty, 1982; Laeng et al, 2012; Loewenfeld, 1958; Mathôt, 2018; Vilotijević & Mathôt, 2023).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The interplay of spontaneous pupil-size fluctuations and EEG power in near-threshold detection

Ruuskanen,

Boehler,

Mathôt

2024

Preprint

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Detection of near-threshold stimuli depends on the properties of the stimulus and the state of the observer. In visual detection tasks, improved sensitivity is associated with larger pre-stimulus pupil size. However, it is still unclear whether this association is due to optical effects (more light entering the eye), correlations with arousal, correlations with cortical excitability (as reflected in alpha power), or a mix of these. To better understand this, we investigated the relative contributions of pupil size and power in the alpha, beta, and theta frequency bands on near-threshold detection. We found that larger pre-stimulus pupil size is associated with improved sensitivity and a more liberal criterion (the likelihood of reporting that a stimulus was detected). Importantly, the relationship between pupil size and sensitivity was not mediated by any of the measured neural variables; the relationship with criterion however was mediated by power in the beta band (12- 30 Hz). Pupil size was positively correlated with power in the alpha and beta bands. Additionally, we show that pre-stimulus theta suppression (4 - 8 Hz) is associated with improved sensitivity and a more liberal criterion. Taken together, our results show an independent effect of pupil size on detection sensitivity that is not driven by cortical excitability, but may be driven by optical effects, arousal, or a mix of both.

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confidence: 99%

The interplay of spontaneous pupil-size fluctuations and EEG power in near-threshold detection

Ruuskanen,

Boehler,

Mathôt

2024

Preprint

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“…Research has shown that working memory load can influence speech perception, suggesting an asymmetric impact on both low-level auditory encoding and high-level language processing of speech, likely due to attention redistribution under mnemonic load ( 36 ). Another study confirmed that attention and working memory exhibit synchronous fluctuations, demonstrated through interconnected continuous attention and working memory tasks ( 37 ). Notably, our study found that moderate-intensity aerobic exercise could enhance the working memory of persons with stroke with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 74%

The effects of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on cognitive function in individuals with stroke-induced mild cognitive impairment: a randomized controlled pilot study

Huang,

Ou,

Zhao

et al. 2024

JRM

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Objective: To assess the impact of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on working memory in stroke-induced mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Design: Randomized, double-blind controlled study. Subjects and methods: Twenty MCI patients from the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (December 2021 to February 2023), aged 34–79, 2–12 months post-stroke, were divided into an experimental group (EG) and a control group (CG), each with 10 participants. The EG underwent standard rehabilitation plus 40 minutes of aerobic exercise, while the CG received only standard therapy, 5 times weekly for 2 weeks. Working memory was tested using the n-back task, and overall cognitive function was measured with the MOCA and MMSE Scales before and after the intervention. Results: The EG showed higher 3-back correctness (71.80 ± 14.53 vs 56.50 ± 13.66), MOCA scores (27.30 ± 1.57 vs 24.00 ± 3.13), and improved visuospatial/executive (4.60 ± 0.52 vs 3.30 ± 1.06) and delayed recall (4.30 ± 0.82 vs 3.00 ± 1.56) on the MOCA scale compared with the CG. Conclusion: Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise may enhance working memory, visuospatial/executive, and delayed recall functions in stroke-induced MCI patients.

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“…Much of the early research exploring the role of alertness on memory defined alertness as needing sleep or not (Aguirre et al, 1985;Gorissen et al, 1997;Rogers & Rosenberg, 1990). However, contemporary research has expanded our understanding of alertness to include momentary fluctuations that influence both attentional control and memory processes (deBettencourt et al, 2018(deBettencourt et al, , 2019Keene et al, 2022). We also better understand the neuroanatomical structures responsible for modulating alertness (Ross & Van Bockstaele, 2021;Van Egroo et al, 2022).…”

Section: Alertness and Procedural Memorymentioning

confidence: 99%

Interference Effects on Procedural Memory

Birkholz,

Hessler,

Root

2023

GradStudentJofPsych

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Three experiments were conducted assessing interference effects acting on procedural task learning and performance using the Tower of Hanoi puzzle as the target procedural task. Experiment 1 found that participants in the no retroactive interference (RI) group completed the Tower of Hanoi task faster than the RI groups, with no differences between the type of the tactile interference. These results indicate that RI may hinder procedural task performance, but does not differentiate between consolidation and retrieval. Experiment 2 addressed RI placement by manipulating the delay prior to the interference task. Subsequent analyses suggested that interfering with only consolidation or recall does not produce interference effects, but qualitative feedback regarding emotion raised further questions about the effects of affect induction. Experiment 3 attempted to address the influence of a proactive and retroactive affect induction technique, but was unsuccessful in producing a dichotomous happy versus neutral effect. However, it was noted that alertness changed across the task acquisition stage, and the change in alertness may account for enhanced procedural memory acquisition. Overall, the series of experiments conducted provides conceptual replication of some previous research while contradicting other findings. This research not only extends our current understanding but also highlights the need to replicate research and continue to explore factors that may influence the practice or acquisition of novel procedural tasks.

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Pupillometry signatures of sustained attention and working memory

Cited by 8 publications

References 27 publications

The interplay of spontaneous pupil-size fluctuations and EEG power in near-threshold detection

The interplay of spontaneous pupil-size fluctuations and EEG power in near-threshold detection

The effects of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on cognitive function in individuals with stroke-induced mild cognitive impairment: a randomized controlled pilot study

Interference Effects on Procedural Memory

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