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

Full Abstract

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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Author information

Author/s: Osaka, Mariko (M); Osaka, Naoyuki (N); Kondo, Hirohito (H); Morishita, Masanao (M); Fukuyama, Hidenao (H); Aso, Toshihiko (T); Shibasaki, Hiroshi (H);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Osaka University of Foreign Studies, Osaka 562-8558, Japan. osaka(-atsign-)osaka-gaidai.ac.jp

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: NeuroImage (Neuroimage), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2003-Mar; vol 18 (issue 3) : pp 789-97

Dates: Created 2003/04/01; Completed 2003/05/19; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 12667855, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Brain Mapping
Cerebral Cortex - physiology
Dominance, Cerebral - physiology
Female
Gyrus Cinguli - physiology
Humans
Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
Individuality

Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Memory, Short-Term - physiology
Neuropsychological Tests
Prefrontal Cortex - physiology
Semantics
Speech Perception - physiology
Temporal Lobe - physiology
Verbal Learning - physiology

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