title: Working memory contributes to the encoding of object location associations: Support for a 3-part model of object location memory.
abstract: A recent model by Postma and colleagues posits that the encoding of object location associations (OLAs) requires the coordination of several cognitive processes mediated by ventral (object perception) and dorsal (spatial perception) visual pathways as well as the hippocampus (feature binding) [1]. Within this model, frontoparietal network recruitment is believed to contribute to both the spatial processing and working memory task demands. The current study used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to test each step of this model in 15 participants who encoded OLAs and performed standard n-back tasks. As expected, object processing resulted in activation of the ventral visual stream. Object in location processing resulted in activation of both the ventral and dorsal visual streams as well as a lateral frontoparietal network. This condition was also the only one to result in medial temporal lobe activation, supporting its role in associative learning. A conjunction analysis revealed areas of shared activation between the working memory and object in location phase within the lateral frontoparietal network, anterior insula, and basal ganglia; consistent with prior working memory literature. Overall, findings support Postma and colleague's model and provide clear evidence for the role of working memory during OLA encoding.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Center for Rehabilitation Medicine, 1441 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
authors.forename: M Meredith
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Gillis
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry-Neuropsychology Section, University of Michigan Health System, 2101 Commonwealth Blvd Suite C, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation R&D Center of Excellence, Atlanta VAMC, 1670 Clairmont Road (151R), Decatur, GA 30033, USA; Mental Health Service, VA Ann Arbor Health Care System, 2215 Fuller Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Center for Rehabilitation Medicine, 1441 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; Department of Psychiatry-Neuropsychology Section, University of Michigan Health System, 2101 Commonwealth Blvd Suite C, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA. Electronic address: bhampste@med.umich.edu.
authors.forename: Benjamin M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Hampstead
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001245:Association Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D065852:Spatial Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Hippocampus; Learning; Memory; Working memory; fMRI