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working memory; mental control
Manipulation of primary memory, synonymous with mental control.
Pathology:
- damage to the prefrontal cortex results in impaired working memory
- working memory declines in older adults (60-76 years vs 20-29 years) [2]
- deficits are linked to desynchronization of rhythmic activity between the prefrontal regions that evaluate information & the temporal regions that store it
Special laboratory:
- electroencephalography (EEG)
- age-related working-memory deficits are associated with uncoupling of frontotemporal theta (4-8 Hz) & left temporal theta-gamma (> 25 Hz) phase amplitudes on EEG [2]
Management:
- targeted high-definition transcranial alternating-current stimulation tuned to individual brain network dynamics for 25 minutes rapidly normalizes cortical-rhythm disruptions, restoring phase synchronization typical of younger adults [2]
- phase coordination associated with improvement in accuracy of working memory, persisting at least 50-minutes poststimulation [2]
General
memory
References
- Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment, Osterweil et al eds,
McGraw Hill, New York, 2000, pg 77
- Reinhart RMG, Nguyen JA.
Working memory revived in older adults by synchronizing
rhythmic brain circuits.
Nat Neurosci 2019 Apr 8;
PMID: 30962628
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-019-0371-x