Persistent Spiking Activity Underlies Working Memory

J Neurosci. 2018 Aug 8;38(32):7020-7028. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2486-17.2018.

Abstract

Persistent activity generated in the PFC during the delay period of working memory tasks represents information about stimuli held in memory and determines working memory performance. Alternative models of working memory, depending on the rhythmicity of discharges or exclusively on short-term synaptic plasticity, are inconsistent with the neurophysiological data.Dual Perspectives Companion Paper:Working Memory: Delay Activity, Yes! Persistent Activity? Maybe Not, by Mikael Lundqvist, Pawel Herman, and Earl K. Miller.

Keywords: delay period; monkey; neurophysiology; prefrontal cortex; working memory.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials
  • Animals
  • Artifacts
  • Electrodes, Implanted
  • Fixation, Ocular / physiology
  • Haplorhini
  • Humans
  • Memory, Short-Term / physiology*
  • Models, Neurological*
  • Nerve Net / physiology
  • Neural Networks, Computer
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Prefrontal Cortex / physiology*
  • Research Design
  • Saccades / physiology
  • Synapses / physiology
  • Time Factors