Neurovascular coupling in the attention during visual working memory processes
Hao Zhang,
Yiqing Hu,
Yang Li,
Dongwei Li,
Hanli Liu,
Xiaoli Li,
Yan Song,
Chenguang Zhao
Affiliations
Hao Zhang
School of Systems Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; Center for Cognition and Neuroergonomics, State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai, Zhuhai 519087, China; International Academic Center of Complex Systems, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, China
Yiqing Hu
Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China
Yang Li
Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China
Dongwei Li
State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Department of Applied Psychology, School of Arts and Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, China
Hanli Liu
Department of Bioengineering, the University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
Xiaoli Li
Center for Cognition and Neuroergonomics, State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai, Zhuhai 519087, China; State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
Yan Song
State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
Chenguang Zhao
School of Systems Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; Center for Cognition and Neuroergonomics, State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai, Zhuhai 519087, China; Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China; Corresponding author
Summary: Focusing attention in visual working memory (vWM) depends on the ability to filter distractors and expand the scope of targets. Although many properties of attention processes in vWM have been well documented, it remains unclear how the mechanisms of neurovascular coupling (NVC) function during attention processes in vWM. Here, we show simultaneous multimodal data that reveal the similar temporal and spatial features of attention processes during vWM. These similarities lead to common NVC outcomes across individuals. When filtering out distractors, the electroencephalography (EEG)-informed NVC displayed broader engagement across the frontoparietal network. A negative correlation may exist between behavioral metrics and EEG-informed NVC strength related to attention control. On a dynamic basis, NVC features exhibited higher discriminatory power in predicting behavior than other features alone. These results underscore how multimodal approaches can advance our understanding of the role of attention in vWM, and how NVC fluctuations are associated with actual behavior.
