Relationship between Frontoparietal alpha oscillations and visual working memory task

Working Memory (WM) is a vital capacity that supports various cognitive activities and is intimately associated with intellectual ability and academic performance. With the aid of 30 participants in the study, we explored the dynamic network architecture underpinning the preservation of visual information in WM using EEG. We found greater and more persistent connections in the alpha frequency region (8 to 14 Hz) throughout the retention interval associated with correct trials vs. wrong trials. Furthermore, our network study demonstrated increased alpha synchronization during WM maintenance. Our findings imply that alpha inter-regional synchronization is an essential mechanism for preserving the memory of visual WM tasks without stimuli. Aside from the spectrum analysis of the chosen electrodes, the PLV analysis was used to investigate the signal connection. Throughout the retention period, the total brain connectivity time series showed a significant difference between correct and erroneous trials for the alpha band only. This influence was significant for most of the retention duration, showing that alpha oscillations play an important role in WM maintenance processes. Reduced alpha connection reported during the delay interval linked with incorrect replies might thus be explained by endogenous changes in attention.