Interactions between working memory and visual perception: An ERP/EEG study

How do working memory and perception interact with each other? Recent theories of working memory suggest that they are closely linked, and in fact share certain brain mechanisms. We used a sequential motion imitation task in combination with EEG and ERP techniques for a direct, online examination of memory load's influence on the processing of visual stimuli. Using a paradigm in which subjects tried to reproduce random motion sequences from memory, we found a systematic decrease in ERP amplitude with each additional motion segment that was viewed and memorized for later imitation. High-frequency (> 20 Hz) oscillatory activity exhibited a similar position-dependent decrease. When trials were sorted according to the accuracy of subsequent imitation, the amplitude of the ERPs during stimulus presentation correlated with behavioral performance: the larger the amplitude, the more accurate the subsequent imitation. These findings imply that visual processing of sequential stimuli is not uniform. Rather, earlier information elicits stronger neural activity. We discuss possible explanations for this observation, among them competition for attention between memory and perception and encoding of serial order by means of differential activation strengths.