# Neural correlates of memory updating in the primate prefrontal cortex

## TL;DR

The study identifies prefrontal neurons in monkeys that are involved in updating and erasing short-term spatial memories during a memory task.

## Contribution

The paper provides new insights into how specific prefrontal neurons in primates are involved in memory updating and erasure.

## Key findings

- Many PFC neurons showed transient activity when a memory was no longer needed.
- Electrical stimulation at recording sites erased specific spatial memories.
- Decoding analysis predicted future target selection based on neuronal activity.

## Abstract

Working memory allows temporary storage and manipulation of information during cognitive tasks. While the primate lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) is involved in working memory, little is known about neuronal activity during memory updating. We trained macaque monkeys on an oculomotor n-back task, requiring them to remember locations of sequentially presented visual stimuli and generate a saccade to the location of the most recent or previous stimulus based on task rules. Many PFC neurons showed transient activity when a memory of a particular stimulus location was no longer needed, whereas others showed sustained activity for remembered locations. Decoding analysis successfully predicted future target selection based on the task rule from neuronal activity, indicating that these neuronal populations contain sufficient information to guide behavior. Furthermore, electrical stimulation at recording sites erased specific spatial memories, demonstrating a causal role of prefrontal neurons in maintaining and updating short-term memory.

In monkeys trained on the oculomotor n-back task, researchers have identified prefrontal neurons that are active during the erasure of specific visuospatial short-term memories. These neurons may constitute part of the central executive system.