Working memory is limited in capacity.  As you load more “stuff” into working memory, errors increase.  Bays shows how this may happen.  Errors with increasing working memory load may be due to decreased signal strength of spiking neurons.  Humans can increase the precision of high priority stimuli in working memory at the expense of low priority stimuli.  The reduction in drive to neurons representing high priority stimuli can explain this tradeoff.

About the Author


The Miller Lab uses experimental and theoretical approaches to study the neural basis of the high-level cognitive functions that underlie complex goal-directed behavior. ekmillerlab.mit.edu