title: Long-term memory prepares neural activity for perception.
abstract: Past experience provides a rich source of predictive information about the world that could be used to guide and optimize ongoing perception. However, the neural mechanisms that integrate information coded in long-term memory (LTM) with ongoing perceptual processing remain unknown. Here, we explore how the contents of LTM optimize perception by modulating anticipatory brain states. By using a paradigm that integrates LTM and attentional orienting, we first demonstrate that the contents of LTM sharpen perceptual sensitivity for targets presented at memory-predicted spatial locations. Next, we examine oscillations in EEG to show that memory-guided attention is associated with spatially specific desynchronization of alpha-band activity over visual cortex. Additionally, we use functional MRI to confirm that target-predictive spatial information stored in LTM triggers spatiotopic modulation of preparatory activity in extrastriate visual cortex. Finally, functional MRI results also implicate an integrated cortical network, including the hippocampus and a dorsal frontoparietal circuit, as a likely candidate for organizing preparatory states in visual cortex according to the contents of LTM.
authors: Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3UD, United Kingdom. mark.stokes@ohba.ox.ac.uk
authors: Mark G
authors: MG
authors: Stokes
authors: Kathryn
authors: K
authors: Atherton
authors: Eva Zita
authors: EZ
authors: Patai
authors: Anna Christina
authors: AC
authors: Nobre
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D003344:Cortical Synchronization / Q000502:physiology; D004566:Electrodes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D057567:Memory, Long-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology; D009949:Orientation; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen