1
|
Zhozhikashvili N, Protopova M, Shkurenko T, Arsalidou M, Zakharov I, Kotchoubey B, Malykh S, Pavlov YG. Working memory processes and intrinsic motivation: An EEG study. Int J Psychophysiol 2024; 201:112355. [PMID: 38718899 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2024.112355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Processes typically encompassed by working memory (WM) include encoding, retention, and retrieval of information. Previous research has demonstrated that motivation can influence WM performance, although the specific WM processes affected by motivation are not yet fully understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of motivation on different WM processes, examining how task difficulty modulates these effects. We hypothesized that motivation level and personality traits of the participants (N = 48, 32 females; mean age = 21) would modulate the parietal alpha and frontal theta electroencephalography (EEG) correlates of WM encoding, retention, and retrieval phases of the Sternberg task. This effect was expected to be more pronounced under conditions of very high task difficulty. We found that increasing difficulty led to reduced accuracy and increased response time, but no significant relationship was found between motivation and accuracy. However, EEG data revealed that motivation influenced WM processes, as indicated by changes in alpha and theta oscillations. Specifically, higher levels of the Resilience trait-associated with mental toughness, hardiness, self-efficacy, achievement motivation, and low anxiety-were related to increased alpha desynchronization during encoding and retrieval. Increased scores of Subjective Motivation to perform well in the task were related to enhanced frontal midline theta during retention. Additionally, these effects were significantly stronger under conditions of high difficulty. These findings provide insights into the specific WM processes that are influenced by motivation, and underscore the importance of considering both task difficulty and intrinsic motivation in WM research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Zhozhikashvili
- Faculty of Social Sciences, HSE University, Moscow, Russia; Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioural Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Maria Protopova
- Center for Language and Brain, HSE University, Moscow, Russia
| | | | | | - Ilya Zakharov
- Ural Federal University named after the first President of Russia B.N. Yeltsin, Yekaterinburg, Russia
| | - Boris Kotchoubey
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioural Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sergey Malykh
- Developmental Behavioral Genetics Lab, Psychological Institute of Russian Academy of Education, Moscow, Russia
| | - Yuri G Pavlov
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioural Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Inguscio BMS, Cartocci G, Sciaraffa N, Nicastri M, Giallini I, Aricò P, Greco A, Babiloni F, Mancini P. Two are better than one: Differences in cortical EEG patterns during auditory and visual verbal working memory processing between Unilateral and Bilateral Cochlear Implanted children. Hear Res 2024; 446:109007. [PMID: 38608331 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2024.109007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
Despite the proven effectiveness of cochlear implant (CI) in the hearing restoration of deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) children, to date, extreme variability in verbal working memory (VWM) abilities is observed in both unilateral and bilateral CI user children (CIs). Although clinical experience has long observed deficits in this fundamental executive function in CIs, the cause to date is still unknown. Here, we have set out to investigate differences in brain functioning regarding the impact of monaural and binaural listening in CIs compared with normal hearing (NH) peers during a three-level difficulty n-back task undertaken in two sensory modalities (auditory and visual). The objective of this pioneering study was to identify electroencephalographic (EEG) marker pattern differences in visual and auditory VWM performances in CIs compared to NH peers and possible differences between unilateral cochlear implant (UCI) and bilateral cochlear implant (BCI) users. The main results revealed differences in theta and gamma EEG bands. Compared with hearing controls and BCIs, UCIs showed hypoactivation of theta in the frontal area during the most complex condition of the auditory task and a correlation of the same activation with VWM performance. Hypoactivation in theta was also observed, again for UCIs, in the left hemisphere when compared to BCIs and in the gamma band in UCIs compared to both BCIs and NHs. For the latter two, a correlation was found between left hemispheric gamma oscillation and performance in the audio task. These findings, discussed in the light of recent research, suggest that unilateral CI is deficient in supporting auditory VWM in DHH. At the same time, bilateral CI would allow the DHH child to approach the VWM benchmark for NH children. The present study suggests the possible effectiveness of EEG in supporting, through a targeted approach, the diagnosis and rehabilitation of VWM in DHH children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Maria Serena Inguscio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, Rome 00161, Italy; BrainSigns Srl, Via Tirso, 14, Rome 00198, Italy.
| | - Giulia Cartocci
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, Rome 00161, Italy; BrainSigns Srl, Via Tirso, 14, Rome 00198, Italy
| | | | - Maria Nicastri
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università 31, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Ilaria Giallini
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università 31, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Pietro Aricò
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, Rome 00161, Italy; BrainSigns Srl, Via Tirso, 14, Rome 00198, Italy; Department of Computer, Control, and Management Engineering "Antonio Ruberti", Sapienza University of Rome, Via Ariosto 125, Rome 00185, Italy
| | - Antonio Greco
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università 31, Rome 00161, Italy
| | - Fabio Babiloni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 291, Rome 00161, Italy; BrainSigns Srl, Via Tirso, 14, Rome 00198, Italy; Department of Computer Science, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Xiasha Higher Education Zone, Hangzhou 310018, China
| | - Patrizia Mancini
- Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale dell'Università 31, Rome 00161, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Pavlov YG, Gashkova AS, Kasanov D, Kosachenko AI, Kotyusov AI, Kotchoubey B. Task-evoked pulse wave amplitude tracks cognitive load. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22592. [PMID: 38114566 PMCID: PMC10730617 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48917-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Cognitive load is a crucial factor in mentally demanding activities and holds significance across various research fields. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of pulse wave amplitude (PWA) as a measure for tracking cognitive load and associated mental effort in comparison to heart rate (HR) during a digit span task. The data from 78 participants were included in the analyses. Participants performed a memory task in which they were asked to memorize sequences of 5, 9, or 13 digits, and a control task where they passively listened to the sequences. PWA and HR were quantified from photoplethysmography (PPG) and electrocardiography (ECG), respectively. Pupil dilation was also assessed as a measure of cognitive load. We found that PWA showed a strong suppression with increasing memory load, indicating sensitivity to cognitive load. In contrast, HR did not show significant changes with task difficulty. Moreover, when memory load exceeded the capacity of working memory, a reversal of the PWA pattern was observed, indicating cognitive overload. In this respect, changes in PWA in response to cognitive load correlated with the dynamics of pupil dilation, suggesting a potential shared underlying mechanism. Additionally, both HR and PWA demonstrated a relationship with behavioral performance, with higher task-evoked HR and lower PWA associated with better memory performance. Our findings suggest that PWA is a more sensitive measure than HR for tracking cognitive load and overload. PWA, measured through PPG, holds significant potential for practical applications in assessing cognitive load due to its ease of use and sensitivity to cognitive overload. The findings contribute to the understanding of psychophysiological indicators of cognitive load and offer insights into the use of PWA as a non-invasive measure in various contexts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuri G Pavlov
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Anastasia S Gashkova
- Laboratory of Neurotechnology, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, 620000, Russian Federation
| | - Dauren Kasanov
- Laboratory of Neurotechnology, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, 620000, Russian Federation
| | - Alexandra I Kosachenko
- Laboratory of Neurotechnology, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, 620000, Russian Federation
| | - Alexander I Kotyusov
- Laboratory of Neurotechnology, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, 620000, Russian Federation
| | - Boris Kotchoubey
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ou S, Cao Y, Xie T, Jiang T, Li J, Luo W, Ma N. Effect of homeostatic pressure and circadian arousal on the storage and executive components of working memory: Evidence from EEG power spectrum. Biol Psychol 2023; 184:108721. [PMID: 37952693 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2023.108721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Diurnal fluctuations in working memory (WM) performance, characterized by task-specific peaks and troughs, are likely attributed to the differential regulation of WM subcomponents by interactions between circadian and homeostatic processes. The current study aimed to investigate the independent effects of circadian and homeostatic processes on the storage and executive subcomponents of WM. We assessed the change in frontal-midline theta (FMT) power supporting WM executive component and posterior alpha/beta power supporting WM storage during N-back tasks in the morning, midafternoon with and without a nap from 31 healthy adults. The results suggested that when the accumulated sleep homeostasis was alleviated in the midafternoon by a daytime nap, higher ACC, less number of omissions, and a stronger increase in FMT power from the no nap to nap conditions. Compared to the morning, a stronger decrease in posterior alpha power, and posterior beta power (only in the 3-back task), was observed in the no-nap condition because of circadian arousal regulation. These findings suggest that the circadian process primarily influences the storage aspect of WM supported by posterior alpha and beta activity, while sleep homeostasis has a greater impact on the execution aspect supported by FMT activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simei Ou
- Philosophy and Social Science Laboratory of Reading and Development in Children and Adolescents (South China Normal University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510631, China; Center for Sleep Research, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health & Cognitive Science, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Yixuan Cao
- Philosophy and Social Science Laboratory of Reading and Development in Children and Adolescents (South China Normal University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510631, China; Center for Sleep Research, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health & Cognitive Science, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Tian Xie
- Philosophy and Social Science Laboratory of Reading and Development in Children and Adolescents (South China Normal University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510631, China; Center for Sleep Research, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health & Cognitive Science, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Tianxiang Jiang
- Philosophy and Social Science Laboratory of Reading and Development in Children and Adolescents (South China Normal University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510631, China; Center for Sleep Research, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health & Cognitive Science, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Jiahui Li
- Philosophy and Social Science Laboratory of Reading and Development in Children and Adolescents (South China Normal University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510631, China; Center for Sleep Research, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health & Cognitive Science, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Wei Luo
- Philosophy and Social Science Laboratory of Reading and Development in Children and Adolescents (South China Normal University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510631, China; Center for Sleep Research, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health & Cognitive Science, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Ning Ma
- Philosophy and Social Science Laboratory of Reading and Development in Children and Adolescents (South China Normal University), Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510631, China; Center for Sleep Research, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health & Cognitive Science, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Pomper U, Curetti LZ, Chait M. Neural dynamics underlying successful auditory short-term memory performance. Eur J Neurosci 2023; 58:3859-3878. [PMID: 37691137 PMCID: PMC10946728 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Listeners often operate in complex acoustic environments, consisting of many concurrent sounds. Accurately encoding and maintaining such auditory objects in short-term memory is crucial for communication and scene analysis. Yet, the neural underpinnings of successful auditory short-term memory (ASTM) performance are currently not well understood. To elucidate this issue, we presented a novel, challenging auditory delayed match-to-sample task while recording MEG. Human participants listened to 'scenes' comprising three concurrent tone pip streams. The task was to indicate, after a delay, whether a probe stream was present in the just-heard scene. We present three key findings: First, behavioural performance revealed faster responses in correct versus incorrect trials as well as in 'probe present' versus 'probe absent' trials, consistent with ASTM search. Second, successful compared with unsuccessful ASTM performance was associated with a significant enhancement of event-related fields and oscillatory activity in the theta, alpha and beta frequency ranges. This extends previous findings of an overall increase of persistent activity during short-term memory performance. Third, using distributed source modelling, we found these effects to be confined mostly to sensory areas during encoding, presumably related to ASTM contents per se. Parietal and frontal sources then became relevant during the maintenance stage, indicating that effective STM operation also relies on ongoing inhibitory processes suppressing task-irrelevant information. In summary, our results deliver a detailed account of the neural patterns that differentiate successful from unsuccessful ASTM performance in the context of a complex, multi-object auditory scene.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Pomper
- Ear InstituteUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- Faculty of PsychologyUniversity of ViennaViennaAustria
| | | | - Maria Chait
- Ear InstituteUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| |
Collapse
|