their brains using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Study participants briefly were shown a pinpoint of light and asked to remember where the light appeared. Ten seconds later, they were asked to look at the location where the light had been using just their memory. The 10-second time lapse was chosen because it would force the subjects to use their working memory and not short- or long-term memory.

Results of the imaging study showed that pre-adolescent children relied most heavily on the prefrontal and parietal regions of the brain during the task; adolescents used those regions plus the anterior cingulate; and in adults, a third area of the brain, the medial temporal lobe, was brought in to support the functions of the other areas.

Adults did best with the saccade test probably because the medial temporal lobe helps refine encoding of information into working memory. In practical situations, introduction of the medial temporal lobe into the working memory process likely provides the kick needed to keep information around long enough and clearly enough for the brain to mull it over and make a rational, informed decision rather than an impulsive, reflexive action.

"Understanding working memory will inform us about how thinking occurs and how it is linked to other brain processes and because working memory also is one of the major brain systems impaired in many psychiatric illnesses, understanding these links could inform the development of new treatments," said Dr. Luna.

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27-Oct-2004

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