Role of Short-term Memory in Neural Information Propagation

Introduction: Short-term memory (STM) refers to the temporary retention of information needed for a later action. Short-term memory neurons exhibit a sustained firing during the retention time and are tuned to specific information. Initially extensively described in the prefrontal cortex (area 46) [1], STM-neurons have since been found in many areas of the brain; e.g. in the motor cortex (area 4) [2] which receives projections from area 46 via area 6, in area IT of the visual system which projects to area 46, and in area V1 which, via a certain number of relays, projects to IT [3]. These multiple findings suggest that STM may not be a localised special function but may be involved at all levels of neural information processing.