Cerebral correlates of working memory for temporal information

Studies of neural correlates of working memory functions in the auditory-ve rbal, visuo-spatial and visuo-object domain suggest a category-specific org anization of working memory processes in prefrontal cortex. Here, we used f MRI to explore brain areas that underlie different working memory operation s directed to the temporal domain, which so far has been widely neglected. Significant activations related to memory updating and comparison processes were found right-accentuated in prefrontal and lateral premotor cortices. Furthermore, both subvocal rhythm encoding and maintenance enhanced left-la teralized activity in Broca's and supplementary motor area as well as in th e sensorimotor cortex. Hemispheric lateralization effects of brain activity during temporal processing tasks may depend on the presence or absence of subvocal rehearsal strategies. NeuroReport 11:1689-1693 (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.