title: Modulation of Alpha and Beta Oscillations during an n-back Task with Varying Temporal Memory Load.
abstract: Temporal information can be retained and manipulated in working memory (WM). Neural oscillatory changes in WM were examined by varying temporal WM load. Electroencephalography was obtained from 18 subjects performing a temporal version of the visual n-back WM task (n = 1 or 2). Electroencephalography revealed that posterior alpha power decreased and temporal region-distributed beta power increased as WM load increased. This result is consistent with previous findings that posterior alpha band reflects inhibition of task-irrelevant information. Furthermore, findings from this study suggest that temporal region-distributed beta band activity is engaged in the active maintenance of temporal duration in WM.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (Ministry of Education), Center of Studies for Psychology and Social Development, Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Youguo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (Ministry of Education), Center of Studies for Psychology and Social Development, Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Xiting
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Huang
keywords: duration; n-back task; neural oscillation; temporal information; working memory