A computational model on affects of subcortical oscillations during working memory

Abstract

During working memory tasks, modulation of different frequency band oscillations has been observed; however, a full explanation of this phenomenon is still needed. Background oscillations coming from subcortical structures drive a gating-like mechanism for working memory computations or states. It is also known that different frequency bands are associated with different computations carried out by working memory: the storage of new information correlates positively with oscillations in the beta-gamma band, theta-band oscillations are directly linked to maintenance of information while ignoring irrelevant stimulations, and clearance of memory is associated with alpha-band oscillations. We propose a computational framework for the cerebral cortex that connects individual oscillatory bands to different working memory processes.