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. 2025 Apr 30:19:1578415.
doi: 10.3389/fnbeh.2025.1578415. eCollection 2025.

Short-term memory retrieval enhances brain functional connectivity

Fanglei Duan #  1 , Xiangyu Yan #  2 , Jing Wang #  3 , Zhenhua Wu #  3 , Yixin Zhang  2 , QiCheng Shu  3 , Fangfang Liu  4 , Fan Xu  2 , Qin Han  5
Affiliations

Short-term memory retrieval enhances brain functional connectivity

Fanglei Duan et al. Front Behav Neurosci. .

Abstract

Introduction: Short-term memory poses a significant challenge, involving complex processes of image perception, memory formation, and execution. However, the mechanisms underlying the formation, storage, and execution of short-term memory remain poorly understood.

Methods: In this study, 41 healthy college students participated in a memory challenge test designed to investigate these processes. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was employed to measure dynamic changes in hemoglobin concentrations in specific cortical regions, while facial expressions and vital signs were recorded in real-time during the tests.

Results: The results revealed heightened activity in the inferior prefrontal gyrus, visual association cortex, pre-motor cortex, and supplementary motor cortex. Functional connectivity between these regions was significantly enhanced during the tasks, and inter-group differences decreased over time. Participants with superior short-term memory exhibited lower levels of negative emotional expressions and higher heart rates compared to those with weaker memory performance. These findings suggest that cortical interconnectivity and adequate cerebral blood oxygenation play critical roles in enhancing short-term memory capacity. This has important implications for education, as it highlights strategies for cultivating attention, training memory skills, and improving memory integration abilities.

Keywords: cognitive neuroscience; fNIRS (functional near infrared spectroscopy); functional connectivity; short-term memory; working memory; young adults.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Experimental flow chart.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Schematic layout of fNIRS channels.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Change in blood oxygen concentration. (A) First time, (B) second time, (C) third time, (D) the four times. (A: memory numbers ≤ 12, B: memory numbers > 12).
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Functional connectivity difference, **sp < 0.01.
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
Visualizes functional connections in the axial plane (horizontal slice) of the brain. For Group A and Group B, images in Test 1–4 are oriented as axial views, where the horizontal orientation of the brain sections represents the axial—plane location.
FIGURE 6
FIGURE 6
Visualizes functional connections in the coronal plane (front-to-back vertical slice) of the brain. For Group A and Group B, images in Test 1–4 are oriented as coronal views, where the front-to-back vertical orientation of the brain sections represents the coronal—plane location.
FIGURE 7
FIGURE 7
Visualizes functional connections in the sagittal plane (left-to-right vertical slice) of the brain. For Group A and Group B, images in Test 1–4 are oriented as sagittal views, where the left-to-right vertical orientation of the brain sections represents the sagittal—plane location.
FIGURE 8
FIGURE 8
Visualization of functionally differentiated connectivity (from left to right, stands for experiment 1–4).
FIGURE 9
FIGURE 9
Life signs for the four tests, ***p < 0.01.
FIGURE 10
FIGURE 10
Face signs for the four tests, ***p < 0.01.
FIGURE 11
FIGURE 11
Short-term memory mechanisms.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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