{"title":"A finite set of content-free pointers in visual working memory: magnetoencephalography (MEG) evidence.","authors":"Xinchi Yu, Ellen Lau","doi":"10.1097/WNR.0000000000002132","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Human visual working memory (VWM) is known to be capacity-limited, but the nature of this limit continues to be debated. Recent work has proposed that VWM is supported by a finite (~3) set of content-free pointers, acting as stand-ins for individual objects and binding features together. According to this proposal, the pointers do not represent features within themselves, but rather bind features represented elsewhere together. The current study set out to test if neural hallmarks resembling these content-free pointers can be observed with magnetoencephalography (MEG). Based on two VWM delay-match-to-sample experiments (N = 20 each) examining memory for simple and complex objects, we report a sustained response in MEG over right posterior cortex whose magnitude tracks the core hypothesized properties of this content-free pointer system: load-dependent, capacity-limited, and content-free. These results provide novel evidence for a finite set of content-free pointers underlying VWM.</p>","PeriodicalId":19213,"journal":{"name":"Neuroreport","volume":"36 3","pages":"153-160"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6000,"publicationDate":"2025-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Neuroreport","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1097/WNR.0000000000002132","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2025/1/29 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q4","JCRName":"NEUROSCIENCES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Human visual working memory (VWM) is known to be capacity-limited, but the nature of this limit continues to be debated. Recent work has proposed that VWM is supported by a finite (~3) set of content-free pointers, acting as stand-ins for individual objects and binding features together. According to this proposal, the pointers do not represent features within themselves, but rather bind features represented elsewhere together. The current study set out to test if neural hallmarks resembling these content-free pointers can be observed with magnetoencephalography (MEG). Based on two VWM delay-match-to-sample experiments (N = 20 each) examining memory for simple and complex objects, we report a sustained response in MEG over right posterior cortex whose magnitude tracks the core hypothesized properties of this content-free pointer system: load-dependent, capacity-limited, and content-free. These results provide novel evidence for a finite set of content-free pointers underlying VWM.
期刊介绍：
NeuroReport is a channel for rapid communication of new findings in neuroscience. It is a forum for the publication of short but complete reports of important studies that require very fast publication. Papers are accepted on the basis of the novelty of their finding, on their significance for neuroscience and on a clear need for rapid publication. Preliminary communications are not suitable for the Journal. Submitted articles undergo a preliminary review by the editor. Some articles may be returned to authors without further consideration. Those being considered for publication will undergo further assessment and peer-review by the editors and those invited to do so from a reviewer pool.
The core interest of the Journal is on studies that cast light on how the brain (and the whole of the nervous system) works.
We aim to give authors a decision on their submission within 2-5 weeks, and all accepted articles appear in the next issue to press.
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号
