The effects of visual working memory load on detection and neural processing of task-unrelated auditory stimuli

Abstract

While perceptual load has been proposed to reduce the processing of task-unrelated stimuli, theoretical arguments and empirical findings for other forms of task load are inconclusive. Here, we systematically investigated the detection and neural processing of auditory stimuli varying in stimulus intensity during a stimuli-unrelated visual working memory task alternating between low and high load. We found, depending on stimulus strength, decreased stimulus detection and reduced P3, but unaffected N1 amplitudes of the event-related potential to auditory stimuli under high as compared to low load. In contrast, load independent awareness effects were observed during both early (N1) and late (P3) time windows. Findings suggest a late neural effect of visual working memory load on auditory stimuli leading to lower probability of reported awareness of these stimuli.

Working memory expedites the processing of visual signals within the extrastriate cortex

“… 7 Moreover, working memory can also be affected by stimulus processing, as incoming stimuli can create bias or noise in the representation of the memorized information. 8 These behavioral effects of working memory in stimulus processing reflect the shared neural mechanisms underlying the maintenance and manipulation of information in the brain.…”