Neuroscience 2001 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 782.4 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Spatial vs. non-spatial working memory is associated with greater right hemisphere activation as measured by functional MRI. |
| Authors: |
Manoach, D. S.*1,2
; Coleman, M. J.3
; Dubal, S.3
; Lindgren, K. A.1
; Holzman, P. S.3
1Behav Neurology Unit, Beth Israel Deaconness Med Ctr, Boston, MA 2NMR-Center, Mass Gen Hosp, Boston, MA 3Psychology Research Lab., McLean Hosp, Belmont, MA |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Cognition and Behavior - Human Cognition and Behavior -- Executive function: Working memory |
| Session: |
782. Human cognition and behavior: executive function--working memory IV Slide |
| Presentation Time: | Wednesday, November 14, 2001 1:45 PM-2:00 PM |
| Location: | Room 5B |
| Keywords: | prefrontal cortex, neuroimaging, cognition, lateralization |
We investigated whether spatial vs. non-spatial working memory (WM) performance is associated with a lateralized pattern of cortical activation when stimuli are identical and only task demands differ. We presented 10 healthy right-handed subjects (6 male, 4 female, mean age 33 ± 8) with a set of target shapes that appeared in particular locations. Subjects were required to remember either the location (spatial task) or shape (non-spatial task) of the targets and to respond by indicating whether or not each probe was in the memorized set. We used a 3.0T Siemens Allegra scanner and a gradient echo sequence (TR/TE/Flip = 2000ms/30ms/90°). We compared signal changes in the spatial vs. non-spatial WM epochs in both individual subjects and in the group-averaged data. Although the spatial task was performed more quickly (F(1,9)=535, p<.0001) and as accurately (F(1,9)=2.98, p=.12) as the non-spatial task, it was associated with increased activation in regions associated with WM including dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), motor and premotor regions and the intraparietal sulcus. In all of these regions, activation was greater in the right hemisphere. In contrast, the non-spatial task preferentially activated the left DLPFC. The increased activation (right > left) in the spatial task cannot be attributed to either increased task difficulty or to different stimuli. Rather, differences in RT and activation may reflect the specialized processing strategies employed to accomplish these tasks.
Supported by K23MH01829 (DSM)
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2001 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. San Diego, CA: Society for Neuroscience, 2001. Online.
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