Our long-term objective is to understand the neural mechanisms that enable currently relevant information to optimally influence cognition and behavior. As the next step in achieving this objective, the goal of this proposed project is to test the hypothesis that the neural system for working memory (WM) is information-domain-dependent and hierarchically organized. We propose that items, such as objects, words, and locations, are represented at the lower levels of this hierarchy while information about relationships among these objects and with potential responses and rewards is represented at higher levels of this hierarchy in more anterior regions of the prefrontal cortex using similar neural mechanisms for both types of information. We will test this hypothesis using functional and anatomical magnetic resonance imaging in healthy young adults, and individuals with multiple sclerosis. We will measure the effects of memory load, repetition, and updating on the fMRI activation magnitude and pattern, directly comparing these effects for item vs. relational information. fMRI functional connectivity during WM for items will be contrasted to functional connectivity during WM for relations to ascertain whether interactions among prefrontal areas and between prefrontal areas and sensory areas are different for these different information types. The necessity of these interactions will be tested by using DTI tractography in individuals with multiple sclerosis to test whether WM performance for items depends on the integrity of different white matter tracts than does WM for relational information. The study aims to test whether a conceptual link can be identified between working memory maintenance of items, such as objects, locations, and words, which has been extensively studied, and """"""""executive control"""""""" functions, which are much less well understood. This goal is highly relevant to the mission of the agency because these higher cognitive functions are disrupted in many mental disorders and neurological diseases. Without a clear understanding of the neural systems that make these abilities possible, we have little to offer for treatment or prevention of cognitive dysfunction.

Public Health Relevance

This study will enhance our understanding of the brain mechanisms and systems that enable us to remember currently relevant information so that it can help guide goal- directed behavior. This understanding will help guide future research to develop treatments for impairments in these abilities.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MH082957-02
Application #
7928224
Study Section
Cognition and Perception Study Section (CP)
Program Officer
Osborn, Bettina D
Project Start
2009-09-07
Project End
2014-06-30
Budget Start
2010-07-01
Budget End
2011-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$458,829
Indirect Cost
Name
Johns Hopkins University
Department
Psychology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
001910777
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21218
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Figley, Teresa D; Mortazavi Moghadam, Behnoush; Bhullar, Navdeep et al. (2017) Probabilistic White Matter Atlases of Human Auditory, Basal Ganglia, Language, Precuneus, Sensorimotor, Visual and Visuospatial Networks. Front Hum Neurosci 11:306
Gmeindl, Leon; Chiu, Yu-Chin; Esterman, Michael S et al. (2016) Tracking the will to attend: Cortical activity indexes self-generated, voluntary shifts of attention. Atten Percept Psychophys 78:2176-84
Figley, Chase R; Asem, Judith S A; Levenbaum, Erica L et al. (2016) Effects of Body Mass Index and Body Fat Percent on Default Mode, Executive Control, and Salience Network Structure and Function. Front Neurosci 10:234
Sheu, Yi-Shin; Courtney, Susan M (2016) A neural mechanism of cognitive control for resolving conflict between abstract task rules. Cortex 85:13-24
Blacker, Kara J; Courtney, Susan M (2016) Distinct Neural Substrates for Maintaining Locations and Spatial Relations in Working Memory. Front Hum Neurosci 10:594
Blacker, Kara J; Ikkai, Akiko; Lakshmanan, Balaji M et al. (2016) The role of alpha oscillations in deriving and maintaining spatial relations in working memory. Cogn Affect Behav Neurosci 16:888-901
Courtney, Susan M (2015) Information Storage and Executive Control May Not Be So Separate after All. Neuron 87:681-3
Figley, Teresa D; Bhullar, Navdeep; Courtney, Susan M et al. (2015) Probabilistic atlases of default mode, executive control and salience network white matter tracts: an fMRI-guided diffusion tensor imaging and tractography study. Front Hum Neurosci 9:585
Ikkai, Akiko; Blacker, Kara J; Lakshmanan, Balaji M et al. (2014) Maintenance of relational information in working memory leads to suppression of the sensory cortex. J Neurophysiol 112:1903-15

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