Despite Bans, Many Still Text While Driving. Radio Boston WBUR 90.0 FM
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Free access to our new paper:
Lundqvist, M., Rose, J., Herman, P., Brincat, S. L., Buschman, T. J., & Miller, E. K. (2016). Gamma and Beta Bursts Underlie Working Memory. Neuron.Valid until May 26, 2016
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Sustained activity has long been thought to be the neural substrate of working memory. But the evidence is based on averaging neural activity across trials. A closer examination reveals that something more complex is happening and supports a very different model of working memory.
Gamma and Beta Bursts Underlie Working Memory
Mikael Lundqvist, Jonas Rose, Pawel Herman, Scott L. Brincat, Timothy J. Buschman, Earl K. Miller
Neuron, published online March 17, 2016DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2016.02.028
Summary
Working memory is thought to result from sustained neuron spiking. However, computational models suggest complex dynamics with discrete oscillatory bursts. We analyzed local field potential (LFP) and spiking from the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of monkeys performing a working memory task. There were brief bursts of narrow-band gamma oscillations (45–100 Hz), varied in time and frequency, accompanying encoding and re-activation of sensory information. They appeared at a minority of recording sites associated with spiking reflecting the to-be-remembered items. Beta oscillations (20–35 Hz) also occurred in brief, variable bursts but reflected a default state interrupted by encoding and decoding. Only activity of neurons reflecting encoding/decoding correlated with changes in gamma burst rate. Thus, gamma bursts could gate access to, and prevent sensory interference with, working memory. This supports the hypothesis that working memory is manifested by discrete oscillatory dynamics and spiking, not sustained activity. -
Lunqvist, M., Rose, J., Herman, P, Brincat, S.L, Buschman, T.J., and Miller, E.K. (in press) Gamma and beta bursts underlie memory. Neuron
We know how to party!
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CNET article on how the Bose Corporation is funding new technology and innovative research. Including research by Earl Miller, a 2014 Bose Research Fellow. Bose’s New Beat
2014 Bose Research Fellow, Prof. Earl K. Miller
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The viewpoint that single neurons are the functional units of the brain rests on the hypothesis that each neuron has a single function or “message”. This notion has eroded under observations that cortical neurons do not seem to do one thing. Instead, neurons often respond to diverse combinations of task relevant variables, and often a variety of different variables with no apparent single function. Why would the brain evolve neurons with this “mixed selectivity”? In short, they add computational power. How? Read this paper and we”ll tell you.
Why neurons mix: high dimensionality for higher cognition,
Stefano Fusi, Earl K Miller, Mattia Rigotti,
Current Opinion in Neurobiology, Volume 37, April 2016, Pages 66-74, ISSN 0959-4388, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.conb.2016.01.010. -
Multitasking doesn’t work: Why focus isn’t just hocus-pocus.
Earl Miller answers questions about the why and why bad of multitasking. TODAY.com (1/27/16)
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Earl Miller is scheduled to discuss the myth of multitasking on NBC’s TODAY show tomorrow morning (1/27/16). Tune in (but only if it is not a distraction).
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Miller Lab alumnus David Freedman is a winner of the 2016 Troland Research Award from the National Academy of Sciences. Way to go, Dave! Well deserved.
http://www.nasonline.org/programs/awards/troland-research-awards.html -
Miller Lab alumnus Melissa Warden is a winner of a 2015 NIH New Innovator Award.
http://commonfund.nih.gov/newinnovator/Recipients15We couldn’t be prouder of her if she were a Little Lebowski Urban Achiever.