Central executive and target selection in visual working memory / Executivo central e seleção de alvos na memória de trabalho visual / Ejecutivo central y selección de estímulos por la memoria de trabajo visual

The goal of this study was to investigate if the selection of external information for storage in visual working memory requires control by the central executive when the categorization of targets is guided by instructions. The design was experimental 3 (concurrent task) x 2 (instruction). Forty-eight university students saw eight colored shapes, four of them surrounded by square outlines. Memory was assessed using a recognition task. Targets varied with instructions: targets were presented within squares in the first block and outside squares in the second block. There were three concurrent tasks: no task, articulatory suppression, and backward counting. Performance was measured by hits, false alarms, corrected recognition, and sensitivity (A'), compared using within-subject ANOVAs. Results showed a main effect only for concurrent task, with lower performance in the backward counting condition for all measures. These results suggest that the central executive does not control the perceptual filter, corroborating earlier results. (AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar se a seleção de informações externas para manutenção na memória de trabalho visual requer controle do executivo central, quando a categorização de alvos depende de instrução. O delineamento foi experimental três (tarefa concorrente) x duas (instrução). Participaram 48 universitários. Os participantes viam oito formas coloridas, quatro delas dentro de quadrados. A memória foi avaliada por reconhecimento. Os alvos dependiam de instrução: no primeiro bloco estavam dentro de quadrados e no segundo, fora de quadrados. Havia três tarefas concorrentes: sem tarefa, supressão articulatória e contagem inversa. O desempenho foi avaliado por acertos, alarmes falsos, taxa de reconhecimento correto e índice de sensibilidade A', comparados por meio de ANOVAs intrassujeitos. Os resultados mostraram apenas efeito principal da tarefa concorrente, com menor desempenho na condição contagem inversa em todas as medidas. Esse resultado sugere que o executivo central não controla o filtro perceptual, corroborando resultados anteriores. (AU)

El objetivo fue investigar si la selección de información externa para el mantenimiento de la memoria de trabajo visual requiere un control del ejecutivo central, cuando la categorización de los estímulos depende de instrucciones. El diseño fue experimental 3 (tarea concurrente) x 2 (instrucción). Los 48 estudiantes universitarios participantes vieron ocho formas de colores, cuatro de ellas dentro de cuadrados. La memoria se evaluó por reconocimiento. Los estímulos dependían de la instrucción: en el primer bloque estaban dentro de los cuadrados, y en el segundo, fuera de ellos. Hubo tres tareas recurrentes: ninguna tarea, supresión articulatoria y conteo inverso. El rendimiento se evaluó mediante aciertos, falsas alarmas, tasa de reconocimiento correcto e índice de sensibilidad A', mediante ANOVAs intrasujeto Los resultados mostraron solo el efecto principal de la tarea concurrente, con menor rendimiento en la condición de conteo inverso en todas las medidas. Los resultados sugieren que el ejecutivo central no controla el filtro perceptual, corroborando resultados anteriores. (AU)

Working memory capacity for faces with different levels of emotional valence / Capacidade da memória de trabalho para faces de diferentes valências emocionais / Capacidad de la memoria de trabajo para rostros con diferentes niveles de valencia emocional

The capacity of visual working memory (VWM) depends on the complexity of the stimuli being processed. Emotional characteristics increase stimulus complexity and can interfere with the competition for cognitive resources. Studies involving emotional information processing are scarce and still produce contradicting results. In the present study, we investigated the capacity of VWM for faces with positive, negative, and neutral expressions. A modified change-detection task was used in two experiments, in which the number of faces and the emotional valence were manipulated. The results showed that VWM has a storage capacity of approximately two faces, which is fewer than the storage capacity identified for simpler stimuli. Our results reinforce the evidence that working memory can dynamically distribute its storage resources depending on both the amount and the emotional nature of the stimuli. (AU)

A capacidade da Memória Visual de Trabalho (MTV) depende da complexidade dos estímulos que estão sendo processados. As características emocionais aumentam a complexidade do estímulo e podem interferir na competição por recursos cognitivos. Estudos envolvendo processamento de informações emocionais são escassos e ainda produzem resultados contraditórios. No presente estudo, investiga-se a capacidade da MTV para faces com expressões positivas, negativas e neutras. Uma tarefa modificada de detecção de mudança foi usada em dois experimentos, nos quais o número de faces e a valência emocional foram manipulados. Os resultados mostraram que a MTV tem uma capacidade de armazenamento de aproximadamente duas faces, menor que a capacidade de armazenamento identificada para estímulos mais simples. Os resultados reforçam as evidências de que a memória de trabalho consegue distribuir dinamicamente seus recursos de armazenamento em função tanto da quantidade como da natureza emocional dos estímulos. (AU

La capacidad de la memoria de trabajo visual (MTV) puede variar dependiendo de la complejidad de los estímulos procesados. Las características emocionales aumentan la complejidad del estímulo y pueden interferir con la competencia por los recursos cognitivos. Los estudios que relacionan el procesamiento de informaciones emocionales son todavía escasos y aún producen resultados contradictorios. En el presente estudio, investigamos la capacidad de la MTV de rostros con valencia emocional positiva, negativa y neutra. Se utilizó una tarea de detección de cambios modificada en dos experimentos, en los que se manipuló la cantidad de rostros y niveles de valencia emocional. Nuestros resultados refuerzan la evidencia de que la memoria de trabajo es capaz de distribuir dinámicamente sus recursos de almacenamiento dependiendo tanto de la cantidad, como de la naturaleza emocional de los estímulos. (AU)

A recuperação da memória operacional visual não é afetada por flicker cromático / The retrieval from visual working memory is not affected by chromatic flicker / La recuperación de la memoria operativa visual no es afectada por el flicker cromático

Nós investigamos o efeito da informação visual irrelevante (IVI) na recuperação da informação na memória de trabalho. Os participantes realizaram uma tarefa de reconhecimento visual. Em metade das provas, uma dica retroativa espacial foi apresentada no intervalo de retenção. A IVI, um flicker cromático, com frequências de 1,0 Hz, 7,3 Hz e 15,3 Hz, foi apresentada no intervalo entre dica e teste. A dica melhorou a acurácia e a rapidez na tarefa de reconhecimento. O flicker não afetou o desempenho. A dica retroativa pode permitir a recuperação da informação para um estado ativo e pode tê-la protegido da interferência do flicker.

We investigated the effect of irrelevant visual information (IVI) on retrieving information from working memory. Participants performed a visual recognition task. In half of the trials, a retroactive spatial cue was presented in the retention interval. The IVI, a chromatic flicker, with frequencies of 1.0 Hz, 7.3 Hz, and 15.3 Hz, was presented in the interval between cue and test. The cue improved the accuracy and speed of the recognition task. The flicker did not affect performance. The retroactive cue may allow the retrieval of information to an active state and may have protected it from the flicker interference.

Nosotros investigamos el efecto de la información visual irrelevante (IVI) en la recuperación de información de la memoria operativa. Los participantes realizaron una tarea de reconocimiento visual. En mitad de las pruebas, se presentó una pista espacial retroactiva en el intervalo de retención. El IVI, un flicker cromático, con frecuencias de 1,0 Hz, 7,3 Hz y 15,3 Hz, se presentó en el intervalo entre pista y prueba. La pista mejoró la precisión y la velocidad de la tarea de reconocimiento. El flicker no afectó el performance. La pista puede permitir la recuperación de la información a un estado activo y puede haberla protegido de la interferencia del flicker.

Enfoque neuropsicológico de la memoria de trabajo en el climaterio / Neuropsychological approach to working memory in menopausal status

Introducción: Estudios multidisciplinarios que involucran mecanismos hormonales, neuronales, conductuales y de cognición contribuyen en las neurociencias. Los estrógenos localizados en el hipocampo y en la corteza prefrontal, pueden afectar la memoria de trabajo. Objetivo: evaluar neuropsicológicamente y comparar el desempeño en memoria de trabajo verbal y visual, durante la premenopausia, perimenopausia y postmenopausia. Se hipotetizó el peor desempeño en memoria de trabajo verbal en etapa de perimenopausia y, la mejor competencia en memoria de trabajo visual para mujeres en etapa de postmenopausia. Método: Estudio exploratorio, no experimental, transversal, con muestreo no probabilístico. 59 mujeres saludables de la población general en edad mediana. Variables clínicas y memoria de trabajo. Resultados: En la memoria de trabajo verbal no hubo diferencia significativa. En la memoria de trabajo visual, hubo diferencia significativa e importante (Ɛ2 R = .23, p = .001 y Ɛ2 R = .12, p = .047) en subpruebas que involucran la visoconstrucción, a diferencia de la subprueba de elección múltiple que no hubo diferencia significativa con el peor desempeño en la perimenopausia. Conclusiones: La memoria de trabajo se encuentra disociada, observando en la memoria de trabajo verbal el rendimiento en función del envejecimiento reproductivo y en la memoria de trabajo visual afectación por fluctuaciones hormonales, siendo una función sensible para detectar fallas cognoscitivas en forma temprana, que pudieran asociarse con enfermedades neurodegenerativas en la vejez. Es relevante considerar al momento de valorar a las mujeres, la etapa del climaterio que estén transitando, por la posible comorbilidad en el SNC.

Introduction: Multidisciplinary studies involving hormones, neurons, behavioral and cognitive functions promote neurosciences. Estrogens located in the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex can affect working memory. Aim: Neuropsychological evaluation and comparison the efficiency in verbal and visual working memory in premenopausal, perimenopausal and postmenopausal stages. It was hypothesized the worst performance in verbal working memory in perimenopause stage, and the best competition in visual working memory in the postmenopausal stage. Method: Exploratory, non-experimental, cross-sectional study, with non-probability sampling. 59 healthy women from the general population. Study clinical, mental health and working memory. Results: There was no significant difference in verbal working memory. In visual working memory there was significant and relevant difference (Ɛ2 R = .23, p = .001 y Ɛ2 R = .12, p = .047) in the subtest involves visual construction; unlike the multiple-choice subtest there was no significant difference, finding the worst performance in perimenopause. Conclusions: Working memory is dissociated, verbal working memory observed performance based on reproductive aging and visual working memory supports the participation of hormonal fluctuations. It is considered a sensitive measure to detect cognitive failures early, which could be associated with neurodegenerative diseases in the aging. When evaluating middle-aged women, it is important to consider the stage of menopausal status that is transiting, due to the possible comorbidity in the CNS.

Effect of visual working memory contents on visual function and fluid intelligence / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To explore the influence of visual working memory contents on visual func-tion and fluid intelligence.Methods 42 subjects were randomly divided into three groups:controll group in-cluding 17 people who had no training,working memory based on Gabor vision group including 13 people and standard working memory group including 12 people who received the N-back working memory training for 15 days,and lasted half an hour in every day.The contrast sensitivity was recorded and measured using OPTEC6500,and the fluid intelligence was measured with the Raven's advanced progressive matrices before and after training.Results In the Gabor working memory group,there were salient gains in contrast sensitivi-ty(respectively(1.48±0.26)log,(1.87±0.13)log,P＜0.05)and in fluid intelligence(respectively(11.15± 1.28),(13.46±1.76),P＜0.05)between pre-and post-test. In the standard working memory group,the con-trast sensitivity improvement was not significant(respectively(1.72±0.30)log,(1.75±0.31)log,P＞0.05),the fluid intelligence increased significantly(respectively(11.25±1.91),(13.00±1.86),P＜0.05); while the controlling group had no significant difference in contrast sensitivity (respectively(1.61±0.26)log,(1.67± 0.25)log,P＞0.05)and in fluid intelligence(respectively(11.41±1.87),(11.58±1.94),P＞0.05) between pre-and post-test.Conclusion Working memory training based on Gabor vision can enhance the subjective perception of visual stimuli and improve the behavioral effect of visual contrast sensitivity, but the visual working memory contents do not affect the migration effect of working memory training on fluid intelligence.

Characteristics of attention during visual search in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder / 中国心理卫生杂志

Objective:To explore the characteristics of attention during visual search tasks in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).Methods:Totally 45 adult patients with ADHD who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) and 44 healthy controls matched with age,gender and IQ were selected.The reaction time and accuracy rate of two groups were compared under visual search tasks of low and high visual working memory load.Results:The reaction time was longer in patients with ADHD than in the healthy controls in both low-load task [(823 ± 144) ms vs.(754 ± 123) ms,P ＜ 0.01] and highload task [(912 ± 163) ms vs.(851 ± 162) ms,P ＜ 0.01].Compared with the performance in low load task,the search reaction time was longer in high load task [ADHD group:(823 ± 144) ms vs.(912 ± 163) ms,P ＜ 0.01;control group:(754 ± 123) ms vs.(851 ± 162) ms,P ＜0.01] and the accuracy rate was lower during high load task than low load task[ADHD group:(95.9 ±4.3)％ vs.(91.2 ± 14.29)％;control group:(95.8 ± 4.2)％ vs.(94.4 ±4.9) ％,P ＜ 0.01] in both ADHD and control groups.Conclusion:The results suggest impairment in top-down attentional control in ADHD adults.When the visual working memory load is increasing,ADHD patients allocate more working memory resources on storing the target representation and less resources on visual attention,so the search efficiency may be influenced.

Efectos a largo plazo de los síntomas depresivos en una tarea de memoria de trabajo con y sin interferencia atencional / Long-term effects of depressive symptoms on a task of visual working memory with and without attentional interference

La neurobiología de la depresión involucra cambios estructurales del sistema nervioso relacionados con procesos cognitivos como la memoria y la atención. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar el efecto a largo plazo de la sintomatología depresiva (SD) en una tarea de memoria de trabajo visual con y sin interferencia atencional en estudiantes universitarios. Se utilizó un diseño factorial de 2 X 2 en el cual las variables independientes fueron la condición clínica (con SD y sin SD) y la versión del Memonum (con o sin interferencia de color). Memonum es un software para evaluar memoria de trabajo por medio de la retención de dígitos directos, en dos versiones: una blanco-negro (sin interferencia) y otra con un distractor atencional de color (con interferencia). Para la evaluación de la SD, 76 universitarios respondieron al CES-D, luego se les aplicó aleatoriamente una u otra versión de la prueba Memonum (con o sin interferencia de color), 2 semanas después de la detección de síntomas. De manera general, la SD no alteró a largo plazo el desempeño de los participantes en tareas de memoria de trabajo visual con o sin interferencia atencional. Sin embargo, se pudo establecer que la utilización de las estrategias para la ejecución de la tarea mnemónica dependió de la condición clínica, y la agrupación fue la menos usada por los participantes con SD.

The neurobiology of depression involves structural changes in the nervous system associated with cognitive processes such as memory and attention. This study sought to evaluate the long-term effect of depressive symptomatology (DS) using a task of visual working memory with or without attentional interference in college students. A 2 X 2 factorial design was used wherein the independent variables were the clinical condition (with and without DS) and the Memonum version (with and without interference of color). The Memonum consists of software to evaluate working memory through retention of direct digits, in two versions: a black-white (without interference) and another with a color attentional distractor (with interference). Depressive symptomatology was evaluated by applying the CES-D to 76 undergraduates. Two week after the diagnosis of DS, the test version was randomly applied (with or without attentional interference). The DS did not alter long-term performance of the tasks involved in visual working memory with or without attentional interference. However, it was found that the use of strategies for mnemonic task performance depended on the clinical condition, being the strategy of grouping the least used by the participants with DS.

Causal flow distribution of multi-channel electroencephalographs during visual working memory / 国际生物医学工程杂志

Objective The ability of working memory (WM) is to temporarily hold and manipulate information for cognitive tasks.The aim of this study was to investigate the causal flow distribution of multi-channel electroencephalographs (EEGs) during Sternberg visual WM task to help understand WM mechanism from the view of neural information transform.Methods Sixteen-channel EEGs were recorded from 8 healthy subjects during Sternberg task,total EEG data for 80 trials were recorded and preprocessed.The EEG powers for each channel were calculated via Fast Fourier transform (FFT).The feature channel was extracted based on the maximum power,and the feature frequency band for WM was determined by time-frequency analysis.The directed transfer function (DTF) and the value of causal flow in EEG feature frequency band were calculated.Results The EEG power focused on θ band (4-8 Hz) and at Fz channel.The maximum value of causal flow was located at Fz,and the first 4 maximum negative values of causal flow were at C3,C4,C5,C6.Conclusions The feature frequency band for WM is the θ band.The causal source (responsible region) is at Fz (frontal region) and the causal sinks are at C3,C4,C5,C6.

Avaliação da memória de trabalho em alunos de 5ª a 8ª série do ensino fundamental / Working memory assessment in fifth to eight-grade students of Elementary School / Evaluación dela memória de trabajo en los alumnos de 5º a 8º grado de La Escuela Primaria

A memória de trabalho relaciona-se à sustentação, integração e manipulação de informações relevantes a uma tarefa. É fundamental para aquisição de habilidades acadêmicas e seu desenvolvimento não está completo até o início da vida adulta, sendo importante avaliá-la em crianças em idade escolar. Este estudo teve como objetivos verificar o desempenho de alunos de 5ª a 8ª série do ensino fundamental em tarefas de memória de trabalho, assim como buscar evidências de validade para os testes utilizados. Participaram 193 estudantes de uma escola pública, que responderam individualmente aos Testes de Memória de Trabalho Auditiva e de Memória de Trabalho Visual. Observou-se aumento nos desempenhos da progressão escolar. Houve relação entre os instrumentos utilizados, com correlação baixa mas significativa, sugerindo que os instrumentos medem construtos relacionados, mas não semelhantes. Os resultados são compatíveis com estudos prévios e fornecem evidências de validade dos instrumentos nessa faixa de escolaridade.

Working memory keeps, integrates and handles the information related to the task. It is essential to add academic abilities and its development is not completed until the beginning of the adult life, being important to evaluate it in preeschool children. This study has as objective to check the performance of the 5th to 8th grade students attending an Elementary School on tasks oriented to evaluate the working memory as well as to evidence the validity of the applied tests. 193 students were selected, who individually responded to Auditory Working Memory Test and Visual Working Memory Test. There were relation between instruments, being a low significant correlation, suggesting that instruments measure related abilities, but not similar. Results are compatible with previous studies and supply validity evidences to instruments for this sample.

La memoria de trabajo se relaciona con la sustentación, integración y manipulación de informaciones relativas a una tarea. Es fundamental para la adquisición de habilidades académicas y su desarrollo no está completo hasta el comienzo de la vida adulta, siendo importante valorarla en niños/as en edad escolar. Ese estudio tuvo como objetivos comprobar la actuación de los alumnos en 5º y 8º curso de Enseñanza Básica en tareas de memoria de trabajo, así como buscar evidencias de validez en los tests utilizados. Participaron 193 estudiantes de una escuela pública que respondieron individualmente a los Tests de Memoria de Trabajo Auditiva y de Trabajo Visual. Se observó un aumento en los desarrollos de memorias de trabajo con la progresión escolar. Hubo relación entre los instrumentos utilizados, com baja correlación, pero significativa, sugiriendo que los instrumentos miden construcciones relacionadas, pero no semejantes. Los resultados son compatibles con estudios previos y proveen evidencias de validez de los instrumentos en esa franja de la escolaridad.