Neural representation of central executive-An Fmri study-

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Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), brain's prefrontal cortex was investigated in terms of working memory functions in human. Individual differences in working memory capacity were measured by use of reading span test both for young (graduate and undergraduate student) and elderly people (over 65). Results showed that the central executive that plays critical attentional mechanism for efficient working memory control incorporated in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC), medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) and superior parietal lobule (SPL). These areas, working together, are highly possible to contribute efficient and adaptive processing of high-level cognition and behavior. Thus the area could be called as the central executive complex system. Specifically, we found anterior cingulated cortex (ACC) in the medial prefrontal cortex plays an important role in the processing and maintenance of ongoing verbal/spatial information. Using reading span test, we found high functional connectivity for high working memory subjects between DLPFC and ACC. This suggests that high performer's efficient working memory processing is likely based on efficient control of DLPFC-ACC executive complex.