The neuroscience of working memory capacity and training

Constantinidis, Christos; Klingberg, Torkel

doi:10.1038/nrn.2016.43

Cited by 448 publications

(392 citation statements)

References 138 publications

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“…A prominent hypothesis is that information exchange within and between networks occurs through the oscillatory synchronization of neuronal activity, such that synchronous neuronal firing binds neurons into ensembles engaged in specific computational functions (Varela et al, 2001; Fries, 2005; Womelsdorf et al, 2007; Fries, 2015; Parkin et al, 2015). Rhythmic synchrony increases network efficiency, a process thought to be particularly relevant for demanding cognitive processes such as working memory (WM) (Fries, 2005; Deco et al, 2011; Fell and Axmacher, 2011; Fries, 2015; Constantinidis and Klingberg, 2016). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Externally induced frontoparietal synchronization modulates network dynamics and enhances working memory performance

Violante

Carmichael

et al. 2017

eLife

177

216

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Cognitive functions such as working memory (WM) are emergent properties of large-scale network interactions. Synchronisation of oscillatory activity might contribute to WM by enabling the coordination of long-range processes. However, causal evidence for the way oscillatory activity shapes network dynamics and behavior in humans is limited. Here we applied transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) to exogenously modulate oscillatory activity in a right frontoparietal network that supports WM. Externally induced synchronization improved performance when cognitive demands were high. Simultaneously collected fMRI data reveals tACS effects dependent on the relative phase of the stimulation and the internal cognitive processing state. Specifically, synchronous tACS during the verbal WM task increased parietal activity, which correlated with behavioral performance. Furthermore, functional connectivity results indicate that the relative phase of frontoparietal stimulation influences information flow within the WM network. Overall, our findings demonstrate a link between behavioral performance in a demanding WM task and large-scale brain synchronization.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.22001.001

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Externally induced frontoparietal synchronization modulates network dynamics and enhances working memory performance

Violante

Carmichael

et al. 2017

eLife

177

216

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“…These brain regions’ functional specialization and cooperation are the operating basis of working memory (Diwadkar et al, 2000; Baddeley, 2003). Moreover, studies from cognitive psychology and neuroscience have revealed that working memory training increases and decreases in task-related BOLD activity in different regions associated with increases in working memory capacity (Constantinidis and Klingberg, 2016). That is, both increases and decreases in the BOLD signal can be informative about the stimulus maintained in working memory, reflecting excitatory and suppressive responses to stimuli’s orientation and motion.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neural Basis of Working Memory Enhancement after Acute Aerobic Exercise: fMRI Study of Preadolescent Children

et al. 2016

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Working memory lies at the core of cognitive function and plays a crucial role in children’s learning, reasoning, problem solving, and intellectual activity. Behavioral findings have suggested that acute aerobic exercise improves children’s working memory; however, there is still very little knowledge about whether a single session of aerobic exercise can alter working memory’s brain activation patterns, as assessed by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Therefore, we investigated the effect of acute moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on working memory and its brain activation patterns in preadolescent children, and further explored the neural basis of acute aerobic exercise on working memory in these children. We used a within-subjects design with a counterbalanced order. Nine healthy, right-handed children were scanned with a Siemens MAGNETOM Trio 3.0 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging scanner while they performed a working memory task (N-back task), following a baseline session and a 30-min, moderate-intensity exercise session. Compared with the baseline session, acute moderate-intensity aerobic exercise benefitted performance in the N-back task, increasing brain activities of bilateral parietal cortices, left hippocampus, and the bilateral cerebellum. These data extend the current knowledge by indicating that acute aerobic exercise enhances children’s working memory, and the neural basis may be related to changes in the working memory’s brain activation patterns elicited by acute aerobic exercise.

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“…Out of children with low working memory capacity (WMC) around 80% struggle with reading, math, or both (Gathercole and Alloway 2008). As higher order functions rely on a well-functioning WM, increasing its capacity has been associated with obvious expectations and the quest to understand the extent of the potential benefits has been widely pursued and discussed (Schubert et al 2014;Titz and Karbach 2014;von Bastian and Oberauer 2014;Redick et al 2015;Shipstead et al 2010;Constantinidis and Klingberg 2016;Morrison and Chein 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are Measures of Transfer Effects Missing the Target?

Söderqvist

Nutley

2017

J Cogn Enhanc

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Repeated and targeted training of working memory typically leads to improvements as observed using cognitive assessments of working memory and different methods of brain imaging. A more controversial topic is whether these improvements transfer to improvements in other cognitive functions and if behavior in everyday life is impacted. If such transfer is the overarching goal with cognitive training, then determining the relevant markers of this should be deemed essential. However, research publications within the cognitive training field seldom provide in-depth theoretical support of the outcomes and design choices selected, nor do they provide a discussion of the relevance of these on everyday life. In this opinion paper we discuss different approaches in assessing transfer effects, specifically on academic performance, and how these might explain discrepancies between different studies in their results and conclusions. We urge the research community to pursue using ecologically valid outcome measures that are suitable to capture training-related change in everyday life in order to advance our understanding of the promises and limitations of cognitive enhancement.

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The neuroscience of working memory capacity and training

Cited by 448 publications

References 138 publications

Externally induced frontoparietal synchronization modulates network dynamics and enhances working memory performance

Externally induced frontoparietal synchronization modulates network dynamics and enhances working memory performance

Neural Basis of Working Memory Enhancement after Acute Aerobic Exercise: fMRI Study of Preadolescent Children

Are Measures of Transfer Effects Missing the Target?

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