Low intensity white noise improves performance in auditory working memory task: An fMRI study
Research suggests that white noise may facilitate auditory working memory performance via stochastic resonance. Stochastic resonance is quantified by plotting cognitive performance as a function of noise intensity. The plot would appear as an inverted U-curve, that is, a moderate noise is benefici...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2019
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/6766/1/FH02-FSK-21-56272.pdf http://eprints.unisza.edu.my/6766/ |
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| Summary: | Research suggests that white noise may facilitate auditory working memory performance via stochastic resonance.
Stochastic resonance is quantified by plotting cognitive performance as a function of noise intensity. The plot
would appear as an inverted U-curve, that is, a moderate noise is beneficial for performance whereas too low and
too much noise attenuates performance. However, knowledge about the optimal signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)
needed for stochastic resonance to occur in the brain, particularly in the neural network of auditory working
memory, is limited and demand further investigation. In the present study, we extended previous works on the
impact of white noise on auditory working memory performance by including multiple background noise levels to
map out the inverted U-curve for the stochastic resonance. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI),
twenty healthy young adults performed a word-based backward recall span task under four signal-to-noise ratio
conditions: 15, 10, 5, and 0-dB SNR. Group results show significant behavioral improvement and increased
activation in frontal cortices, primary auditory cortices, and anterior cingulate cortex in all noise conditions,
except at 0-dB SNR, which decreases activation and performance. When plotted as a function of signal-to-noise
ratio, behavioral and fMRI data exhibited a noise-benefit inverted U-shaped curve. Additionally, a significant
positive correlation was found between the activity of the right superior frontal gyrus (SFG) and performance in 5-
dB SNR. The predicted phenomenon of SR on auditory working memory performance is confirmed. Findings from
this study suggest that the optimal signal-to-noise ratio to enhance auditory working memory performance is
within 10 to 5-dB SNR and that the right SFG may be a strategic structure involved in enhancement of auditory
working memory performance. |
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