The effects of the post-delay epochs on working memory error reduction.

Accurate retrieval of the maintained information is crucial for working memory. This process primarily occurs during post-delay epochs, when subjects receive cues and generate responses. However, the computational and neural mechanisms that underlie these post-delay epochs to support robust memory r...

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Main Authors: Zeyuan Ye, Haoran Li, Liang Tian, Changsong Zhou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-05-01
Series:PLoS Computational Biology
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1013083
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author Zeyuan Ye
Haoran Li
Liang Tian
Changsong Zhou
author_facet Zeyuan Ye
Haoran Li
Liang Tian
Changsong Zhou
author_sort Zeyuan Ye
collection DOAJ
description Accurate retrieval of the maintained information is crucial for working memory. This process primarily occurs during post-delay epochs, when subjects receive cues and generate responses. However, the computational and neural mechanisms that underlie these post-delay epochs to support robust memory remain poorly understood. To address this, we trained recurrent neural networks (RNNs) on a color delayed-response task, where certain colors (referred to as common colors) were more frequently presented for memorization. We found that the trained RNNs reduced memory errors for common colors by decoding a broader range of neural states into these colors through the post-delay epochs. This decoding process was driven by convergent neural dynamics and a non-dynamic, biased readout process during the post-delay epochs. Our findings highlight the importance of post-delay epochs in working memory and suggest that neural systems adapt to environmental statistics by using multiple mechanisms across task epochs.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1553-734X
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language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
record_format Article
series PLoS Computational Biology
spelling doaj-art-45d4df81fb3540a58ee20bd71afb49322025-08-20T03:25:19ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS Computational Biology1553-734X1553-73582025-05-01215e101308310.1371/journal.pcbi.1013083The effects of the post-delay epochs on working memory error reduction.Zeyuan YeHaoran LiLiang TianChangsong ZhouAccurate retrieval of the maintained information is crucial for working memory. This process primarily occurs during post-delay epochs, when subjects receive cues and generate responses. However, the computational and neural mechanisms that underlie these post-delay epochs to support robust memory remain poorly understood. To address this, we trained recurrent neural networks (RNNs) on a color delayed-response task, where certain colors (referred to as common colors) were more frequently presented for memorization. We found that the trained RNNs reduced memory errors for common colors by decoding a broader range of neural states into these colors through the post-delay epochs. This decoding process was driven by convergent neural dynamics and a non-dynamic, biased readout process during the post-delay epochs. Our findings highlight the importance of post-delay epochs in working memory and suggest that neural systems adapt to environmental statistics by using multiple mechanisms across task epochs.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1013083
spellingShingle Zeyuan Ye
Haoran Li
Liang Tian
Changsong Zhou
The effects of the post-delay epochs on working memory error reduction.
PLoS Computational Biology
title The effects of the post-delay epochs on working memory error reduction.
title_full The effects of the post-delay epochs on working memory error reduction.
title_fullStr The effects of the post-delay epochs on working memory error reduction.
title_full_unstemmed The effects of the post-delay epochs on working memory error reduction.
title_short The effects of the post-delay epochs on working memory error reduction.
title_sort effects of the post delay epochs on working memory error reduction
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1013083
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