Simultaneous and Sequential Presentations Differentially Modulate the Temporal Dynamics of Working Memory Processes
Journal
Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience
Journal Volume
38
Journal Issue
4
Start Page
680
End Page
694
ISSN
0898-929X
1530-8898
Date Issued
2026
Author(s)
Chen, Ya-Ting
Abstract
Working memory (WM) involves continuous and dynamic processes, including encoding, maintenance, and retrieval. While many studies have focused on the maintenance of WM information, encoding strategies also impact WM performance and can be shaped by the presentation format of stimuli. However, how presentation formats modulate neural responses across WM stages remains unclear. To address this issue, we conducted an EEG study examining the effects of presentation formats (simultaneous, location-sequential, and center-sequential presentation) and WM loads (one and three abstract shapes). Behavioral results showed longer RTs for the location-sequential than for the center-sequential format. Additionally, the recency effects observed in both sequential conditions reflect the influence of ordinal information. EEG results revealed distinct load-dependent alpha activity patterns across presentation formats during WM maintenance. Simultaneous presentations exhibited a persistent decrease in alpha power, whereas both sequential presentations exhibited an initial decrease followed by a subsequent increase. During sequential encoding, alpha power decreased cumulatively with each additional item in the location-sequential format, but not in the center-sequential format. At retrieval, the probe elicited a load-dependent negative potential (i.e., the N3rs) across all formats. The N3rs load modulation was stronger for simultaneous presentations than sequential ones and was more pronounced for earlier positions than for the last position in sequential presentations. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that the spatial and temporal order information embedded in presentation formats modulates load-dependent neural responses across WM stages. These effects extend beyond maintenance to encoding and retrieval, highlighting the influence of presentation formats on WM neural dynamics.
Subjects
Adult
Alpha Rhythm
Electroencephalography
Evoked Potentials
Female
Humans
Male
Memory
Short-Term
Mental Recall
Pattern Recognition
Visual
Young Adult
Dynamics
Maintenance
Neural networks
Signal encoding
Continuous process
Dynamic process
Encodings
Information encoding
Neural response
Power
Presentation formats
Simultaneous presentations
Temporal dynamics
Working memory
adult
alpha rhythm
Article
electroencephalogram
encoding
female
human
information processing
information retrieval
male
memory test
neuromodulation
normal human
oscillation
sensory stimulation
working memory
electroencephalography
evoked response
physiology
recall
short term memory
visual pattern recognition
young adult
Encoding (symbols)
Location
Publisher
MIT Press
Type
journal article