Multiple spatial memories in the brain : decoding and modification using microstimulation

Sequential processing --- using multiple sensory stimuli to plan and control a set of ordered movements --- is a central aspect of human behavior. Because previous and future movements must be stored during the execution of any movement in a sequence, memory is an indispensable aspect of sequential behavior. To study how memory is used to link sensory inputs to sequential motor outputs, we have used the oculomotor system as a model. We trained monkeys to remember the location of two spatial cues over a brief delay, and then make two eye movements to the remembered locations in the order that they appeared. We explored the role of two different frontal eye movement areas, the frontal and supplementary eye fields (FEF and SEF) during this memory delay. While both the FEF and SEF have shown to be important for sequential behavior, their individual roles are unknown. Here, using physiology, we show that the FEF is important for storing the location of multiple cues and their order in memory. In the SEF, we show that memory period stimulation can affect the order of a sequence, changing the goal of the entire sequence but not the individual movement components.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Brain and Cognitive Sciences.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2005

Author dc:creator

• Histed, Mark H

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Earl K. Miller.

• Brain and Cognitive Sciences.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/33173

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/33173