Transient storage of a tactile memory trace in primary somatosensory cortex.

Full Abstract

Working memory is known to involve prefrontal cortex and posterior regions of association cortex (e.g., the inferior temporal lobes). Here, we investigate the potential role of primary somatosensory cortex (SI) in a working memory task with tactile stimuli. Subjects were required to compare the frequencies of two vibrations separated by a retention interval of 1500 msec. Their performance was significantly disrupted when we delivered a pulse of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to the contralateral SI early (300 or 600 msec) in the retention interval. TMS did not affect tactile working memory if delivered to contralateral SI late in the retention interval (at 900 or 1200 msec), nor did TMS affect performance if delivered to the ipsilateral SI at any time point. Primary sensory cortex thus seems to act not only as a center for on-line sensory processing but also as a transient storage site for information that contributes to working memory.

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Author information

Author/s: Harris, Justin A (JA); Miniussi, Carlo (C); Harris, Irina M (IM); Diamond, Mathew E (ME);

Affiliation: Cognitive Neuroscience Sector, International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Trieste 34014, Italy. justinh(-atsign-)psych.usyd.edu.au

Journal and publication information

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

Journal: The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience (J Neurosci), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-Oct; vol 22 (issue 19) : pp 8720-5

Dates: Created 2002/09/27; Completed 2002/10/24; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 12351747, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Electric Stimulation - instrumentation
Electromagnetic Fields
Female
Fingers - innervation; physiology
Hand - innervation; physiology
Humans
Magnetics

Male
Memory, Short-Term - physiology
Physical Stimulation
Reference Values
Somatosensory Cortex - physiology
Time Factors
Touch - physiology
Vibration

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