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PMID: 26996084 Published · ppublish English Journal Article Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Gamma and Beta Bursts Underlie Working Memory.

Neuron ·Vol. 90 ·No. 1 ·2016-04-06 ·Pages 152-164

Lundqvist M, Rose J, Herman P, Brincat SL, Buschman TJ, Miller EK

Abstract

Working memory is thought to result from sustained neuron spiking. However, computational models suggest complex dynamics with discrete oscillatory bursts. We analyzed local field potential (LFP) and spiking from the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of monkeys performing a working memory task. There were brief bursts of narrow-band gamma oscillations (45-100 Hz), varied in time and frequency, accompanying encoding and re-activation of sensory information. They appeared at a minority of recording sites associated with spiking reflecting the to-be-remembered items. Beta oscillations (20-35 Hz) also occurred in brief, variable bursts but reflected a default state interrupted by encoding and decoding. Only activity of neurons reflecting encoding/decoding correlated with changes in gamma burst rate. Thus, gamma bursts could gate access to, and prevent sensory interference with, working memory. This supports the hypothesis that working memory is manifested by discrete oscillatory dynamics and spiking, not sustained activity.

MeSH Terms
Animals Beta Rhythm/physiology Brain/physiology Electroencephalography Gamma Rhythm/physiology Macaca fascicularis Macaca mulatta Memory, Short-Term/physiology Neurons/physiology Prefrontal Cortex/physiology Task Performance and Analysis
Authors & Affiliations
6 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Lundqvist Mikael
The Picower Institute for Learning & Memory and Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 43 Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
Rose Jonas
The Picower Institute for Learning & Memory and Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 43 Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. | Animal Physiology, Institute for Neurobiology, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany.
Herman Pawel
Computational Brain Science Lab, Dept. Comp. Sci. & Tech, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.
Brincat Scott L
The Picower Institute for Learning & Memory and Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 43 Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
Buschman Timothy J
The Picower Institute for Learning & Memory and Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 43 Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. | Princeton Neuroscience Institute and Department of Psychology, Princeton University, Princeton, 08544, USA.
Miller Earl K
The Picower Institute for Learning & Memory and Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 43 Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
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Article Info
Journal
Neuron
Abbr.
Neuron
ISSN
1097-4199
DOI
10.1016/j.neuron.2016.02.028
Published
2016-04-06
Epub
2016-00-17
Pages
152-164
Language
English
Region
United States
NLM ID
8809320
PMCID
PMC5220584
Subset
IM
Grants
NIMH NIH HHS · R01 MH091174 · United States
NIMH NIH HHS · R37 MH087027 · United States
NIMH NIH HHS · 5R01MH091174-05 · United States
NIMH NIH HHS · 5R37MH087027-07 · United States
Corrections
CommentIn
PMID: 27237797
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2016.02.028 PMC Full Text View journal details
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