Researchers at Brown University have discovered that working memory limitations are caused by learning challenges, not storage capacity. A new computer model of the basal ganglia and thalamus revealed that holding too much information confuses the brain, impairing its ability to learn and use stored data effectively.
The study found that the brain compensates for this limitation by “chunking” related information together, improving efficiency. This strategy is similar to how humans juggle different pieces of information in short-term scenarios, such as making a mental grocery list.
According to Dr. Michael Frank and Aneri Soni, the researchers behind the study, the findings suggest that learning, not storage capacity, is the real driver of working memory limits. The brain’s dopamine delivery system plays a critical role in this process, allowing it to adapt and learn new strategies for efficient information processing.
The study’s results have significant implications for our understanding of conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, ADHD, and schizophrenia. By targeting the basal ganglia and thalamus, researchers may be able to develop new treatment approaches that improve symptoms.
This breakthrough in computational brain science has the potential to advance psychiatry and provide new insights into working memory limitations. As Dr. Frank notes, “Take Parkinson’s disease as an example… Our findings suggest that we should be testing whether drugs that target the basal ganglia and thalamus help to improve symptoms.”
Source: https://neurosciencenews.com/working-memory-learning-28438