Load-dependent brain activity related to acoustic short-term memory for pitch: magnetoencephalography and fMRI

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2009 Jul:1169:273-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04844.x.

Abstract

Acoustic short-term memory (ASTM) refers to the temporary retention of acoustic information. In the present study, we investigated the neural correlates of ASTM for pitch using magnetoencephalography (MEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Both MEG and fMRI analyses revealed brain activations that varied with memory load in the vicinity of secondary auditory cortex (Brodmann's area, BA22) and superior parietal cortex (BA5/7), while analyses specific to MEG data revealed load-related activations in the frontal cortex (BA9/10).

MeSH terms

  • Acoustic Stimulation
  • Adult
  • Brain / physiology*
  • Cerebral Cortex / physiology
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Magnetoencephalography
  • Memory, Short-Term*
  • Pitch Perception / physiology*
  • Young Adult