Neural Oscillations and Working Memory: Perspectives into self-terminating memory search and serial memory processing from theta and alpha oscillations

Abstract

Memory is an important neurological function that contributes significantly to the experience of consciousness in the human mind. Working memory is a form of short-term memory that allows the brain to transiently store temporary information to be used without first consolidating this into long-term memory. However, the methods in which the brain processes working memory, serial or parallel, and the search mechanisms employed, self-terminating or exhaustive, have long been debated. Neural oscillations are a developing area in psychology that involve networks of oscillatory activity spread throughout the brain that are associated with various neurological functions. Theta and alpha oscillations have been found to be modulated by working memory tasks, indicating these networks have a functional role in working memory. Therefore, neural oscillations in the theta and alpha bands were investigated during a Sternberg working memory task to explore new perspectives into the processing and search methods employed by working memory. Near significant differences were found in alpha activity with linearly increasing serial probe position, indicating a self-terminating search. As self-terminating searches rely on the assumptions of the standard serial processing hypothesis, this in turn supported serial memory processes. No significant differences were found in theta activity with serial probe position, however it was deducted that these were likely due to errors in the methodology employed, rather than due to the employment of an exhaustive search.