title: Modality specificity in the cerebro-cerebellar neurocircuitry during working memory.
abstract: Previous studies have suggested cerebro-cerebellar circuitry in working memory. The present fMRI study aims to distinguish differential cerebro-cerebellar activation patterns in verbal and visual working memory, and employs a quantitative analysis to deterimine lateralization of the activation patterns observed. Consistent with Chen and Desmond (2005a,b) predictions, verbal working memory activated a cerebro-cerebellar circuitry that comprised left-lateralized language-related brain regions including the inferior frontal and posterior parietal areas, and subcortically, right-lateralized superior (lobule VI) and inferior cerebellar (lobule VIIIA/VIIB) areas. In contrast, a distributed network of bilateral inferior frontal and inferior temporal areas, and bilateral superior (lobule VI) and inferior (lobule VIIB) cerebellar areas, was recruited during visual working memory. Results of the study verified that a distinct cross cerebro-cerebellar circuitry underlies verbal working memory. However, a neural circuitry involving specialized brain areas in bilateral neocortical and bilateral cerebellar hemispheres subserving visual working memory is observed. Findings are discussed in the light of current models of working memory and data from related neuroimaging studies.
authors.affiliation: Division of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637332, Singapore.
authors.forename: H B Tommy
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.affiliation: Division of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637332, Singapore.
authors.forename: K-L Cathy
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Kao
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, University Medicine Cluster, National University Health System, Singapore; Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Y C
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, University Medicine Cluster, National University Health System, Singapore; Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Effie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chew
authors.affiliation: The Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Chuang
authors.affiliation: Division of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 637332, Singapore; Centre for Research and Development in Learning (CRADLE), Nanyang Technological University, 637459, Singapore. Electronic address: annabelchen@ntu.edu.sg.
authors.forename: S H Annabel
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D010100:Oxygen; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D014706:Verbal Learning / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen
keywords: Cerebellum; Cerebro-cerebellar; Functional magnetic resonance imaging; Verbal working memory; Visual working memory