Working memory demands modulate memory brain state engagement

DT Nguyen, Nicole M Long · 2026

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Description

The authors test how working memory loads switch the brain between its encoding and retrieval states. These whole-brain patterns support long-term memory, and the team guessed they line up with attention turned outward or inward. Volunteers did memory tasks with and without a holding demand while scalp electrodes recorded their brain waves.

A classifier trained on other studies measured state engagement moment by moment. The encoding state appeared whenever stimuli showed, in both tasks. The retrieval state joined only during the holding delay of the harder task. Memory states seem to serve working memory by tracking the focus of attention.

Catalog record

CREATORDT Nguyen, Nicole M Long
YEAR2026
COLLECTIONPAPERS
FORMATTXT
FILE SIZE62 KB
VERSION1.0
LICENSECC BY 4.0
RIGHTSCC BY
SOURCEEurope PMC

Source: https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13543892

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