Working memory load increases movement-related alpha and beta desynchronization.

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  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: Pergamon Press Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 0020713 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1873-3514 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00283932 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Neuropsychologia Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Publication: Oxford : Pergamon Press
      Original Publication: Oxford.
    • Subject Terms:
      Alpha Rhythm*/physiology ; Beta Rhythm*/physiology ; Memory, Short-Term*/physiology; Humans ; Male ; Female ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Movement/physiology ; Hand Strength/physiology ; Electroencephalography ; Psychomotor Performance/physiology ; Cortical Synchronization/physiology
    • Abstract:
      Working memory (WM) load has been well-documented to impair selective attention and inhibitory control. However, its effects on motor function remain insufficiently explored. To extend the existing literature, we investigated the impact of WM load on force control and movement-related brain activity. Sixteen healthy young participants performed a visual static force matching task using a pinch grip under varying WM loads. The task included low and high WM load conditions (memorizing one digit or six digits), and the precision level required to control force was adjusted by manipulating visual gain (low vs. high visual gains), with higher visual gain necessitating more precise force control. Peri-movement alpha and beta event-related desynchronization (ERD), along with force accuracy and steadiness, were measured using electroencephalography recorded over the central areas during the force control task. Results indicated that while force accuracy and steadiness significantly improved with higher visual gain, there was no significant effect of WM load on these measures. Alpha and beta ERD were greater under high than low visual gain, and also greater under high than low WM load. These findings suggest that in young adults, increased WM load leads to compensatory increases in sensorimotor cortical activity to mitigate potential declines in static force control performance that may result from the depletion of neural resources caused by WM load. Our findings extend current understanding of the interaction between WM and sensorimotor processes by offering new insights into how movement-related brain activity is influenced by heightened WM load.
      Competing Interests: Declarations of interest None.
      (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
    • Contributed Indexing:
      Keywords: Event-related desynchronization; Force control; Neural resources; Sensorimotor cortex; Visual feedback
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20241101 Date Completed: 20241130 Latest Revision: 20241211
    • Publication Date:
      20241211
    • Accession Number:
      10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2024.109030
    • Accession Number:
      39486757