Prefrontal working memory signal controls phase-coded information within extrastriate cortex.

ABSTRACT: In order to understand how prefrontal cortex provides the benefits of working memory (WM) for visual processing we examined the influence of WM on the representation of visual signals in V4 neurons in two macaque monkeys. We found that WM induces strong β oscillations in V4 and that the timing of action potentials relative to this oscillation reflects sensory information- i.e., a phase coding of visual information. Pharmacologically inactivating the Frontal Eye Field part of prefrontal cortex, we confirmed the necessity of prefrontal signals for the WM-driven boost in phase coding of visual information. Indeed, changes in the average firing rate of V4 neurons were correlated with WM-induced oscillatory changes. We present a network model to describe how WM signals can recruit sensory areas

SUBMITTER: Parto-Dezfouli M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11383686 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature