The relationship between frontotemporal effective connectivity and performance during auditory working memory task in noise

Abstract

The present study examined the relationship between effective connectivity among frontotemporal brain regions and auditory working memory (AWM) performance. Twenty healthy participants performed a word-based backward recall task in four signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions during functional magnetic resonance imaging scans. Functional data were pre-processed and analyzed using Statistical Parametric Mapping. Optimum connectivity model and strength of effective connectivity were analyzed using Dynamic Causal Modelling. Group results indicated significant brain activation in left superior temporal gyrus (STG) and left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG). Behavioral results showed that performance was enhanced in good SNR but worsened in low SNR. Bayesian model selection showed strong evidence of a bidirectional connection between left STG and left IFG. Correlation analyses showed a moderate positive linear relationship between effective connectivity from left STG to left IFG and behavioral performance. These findings suggest that the strength of effective connectivity from left STG and left IFG may underpin successful AWM performance.