Neural Mechanisms Determining the Capacity on Working Memory Tasks

Working memory is the ability to temporarily retain
goal-relevant visuospatial information in memory.
This ability is crucial for higher cognitive
function and its deficits can be found in disorders
such as ADHD. Fortunately, working memory can be
trained. In this thesis, Fredrik Edin combines
experimental techniques such as functional MR
imaging with mathematical modeling to investigate
the neural basis of the capacity of working memory.
He finds neural connections between and within
working memory-related brain regions that increase
the capacity of or access to working memory, and he
develops a simple mathematical equation for working
memory capacity. His research may further help
explain the link between distractibility and low
working memory capacity found in ADHD. A specific
aim of this thesis has been to describe the
mechanistic model in a way that is accessible to
people without a modeling background.

Autorentext

Fredrik Edin holds a PhD in computational neuroscience after
research at the Royal Institute of Technology and Karolinska
Institutet. His research focuses on the neural basis of working
memory, in particular how its capacity is affected by changes in
brain connectivity. This has led to a closed mathematical
formula for working memory capacity.

Klappentext

Working memory is the ability to temporarily retain
goal-relevant visuospatial information in memory.
This ability is crucial for higher cognitive
function and its deficits can be found in disorders
such as ADHD. Fortunately, working memory can be
trained. In this thesis, Fredrik Edin combines
experimental techniques such as functional MR
imaging with mathematical modeling to investigate
the neural basis of the capacity of working memory.
He finds neural connections between and within
working memory-related brain regions that increase
the capacity of or access to working memory, and he
develops a simple mathematical equation for working
memory capacity. His research may further help
explain the link between distractibility and low
working memory capacity found in ADHD. A specific
aim of this thesis has been to describe the
mechanistic model in a way that is accessible to
people without a modeling background.