Prefrontal activation and pupil dilation during n-back task performance: A combined fNIRS and pupillometry study

The n-back task is one of the most commonly used working memory (WM) paradigms in cognitive neuroscience. Converging evidence suggests activation lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) and pupil dilation [a proxy for locus coeruleus (LC) activation] during this task. However, it remains unclear whether PFC LC are functionally associated performance. This study's aim was to examine relationship between changes activity diameter evaluate effect WM load on such Thirty-nine healthy young adults (10 males, 29 females) underwent a number paradigm with 0- 3-back conditions. Their hemodynamics size performance were simultaneously measured using 16-channel functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) device wearable eye tracker. Young exhibited significant bilateral increases when high (i.e., 3-back) but not low 0-back) compared resting period. Interestingly, positive correlations found 0-back only. These tended be stronger than condition. Thus, may vary at different levels Our findings have important implications neuropsychiatric research support concurrent fNIRS pupillometric measurements better understanding mechanisms underlying processing.