Theta coupling between V4 and prefrontal cortex predicts visual short-term memory performance
Theta coupling between V4 and prefrontal cortex predicts visual short-term memory performance
复制标题
DOI：
10.1038/nn.3038
复制
发表时间：
2012-03-01
影响因子：
25
通讯作者：
Rainer, Gregor
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Liebe, Stefanie;Hoerzer, Gregor M.;Rainer, Gregor
短期记忆需要多个大脑区域之间的交流，这些区域共同调节感觉信息的编码和维持。有人认为，振荡同步是大脑皮层间通讯的基础。然而，在视觉记忆过程中，大脑皮层区域是否以及距离有多远，仍然难以捉摸。我们使用同步局部场电位(LFP)记录和单单位活动(SUA)研究了执行视觉短期记忆任务的猴子的视觉区域V4和外侧前额叶皮质之间的神经相互作用。在记忆期间，我们观察到LFP的theta频率(3-9 Hz)的区域间相位同步增强，同时SUA对跨区域theta振荡的相位锁定提高。此外，我们发现皮质间锁定的强度可以预测动物的行为表现。这表明，Theta带同步协调了V4和前额叶皮质之间的动作电位交流，这可能有助于维持视觉短期记忆。
Short-term memory requires communication between multiple brain regions that collectively mediate the encoding and maintenance of sensory information. It has been suggested that oscillatory synchronization underlies intercortical communication. Yet, whether and how distant cortical areas cooperate during visual memory remains elusive. We examined neural interactions between visual area V4 and the lateral prefrontal cortex using simultaneous local field potential (LFP) recordings and single-unit activity (SUA) in monkeys performing a visual short-term memory task. During the memory period, we observed enhanced between-area phase synchronization in theta frequencies (3-9 Hz) of LFPs together with elevated phase locking of SUA to theta oscillations across regions. In addition, we found that the strength of intercortical locking was predictive of the animals' behavioral performance. This suggests that theta-band synchronization coordinates action potential communication between V4 and prefrontal cortex that may contribute to the maintenance of visual short-term memories.