Low intensity white noise improves performance in auditory working memory task: An fMRI study

Othman, Elza Azri and Yusoff, Ahmad Nazlim and Mohamad, Mazlyfarina and Abdul Manan, Hanani and Giampietro, Vincent and Abdul Hamid, Aini Ismafairus and Dzulkifli, Mariam Adawiah and Osman, Shazarina Sharis and Wan Burhanuddin, Wan Ilma Dewiputri (2019) Low intensity white noise improves performance in auditory working memory task: An fMRI study. Heliyon, 5 (9). pp. 1-9. E-ISSN 2405-8440

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Abstract

Research suggests that white noise may facilitate auditory working memory performance via stochastic resonance. Stochastic resonance is quantified by plotting cognitive performance as a function of noise intensity. The plot would appear as an inverted U-curve, that is, a moderate noise is beneficial for performance whereas too low and too much noise attenuates performance. However, knowledge about the optimal signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) needed for stochastic resonance to occur in the brain, particularly in the neural network of auditory working memory, is limited and demand further investigation. In the present study, we extended previous works on the impact of white noise on auditory working memory performance by including multiple background noise levels to map out the inverted U-curve for the stochastic resonance. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), twenty healthy young adults performed a word-based backward recall span task under four signal-to-noise ratio conditions: 15, 10, 5, and 0-dB SNR. Group results show significant behavioral improvement and increased activation in frontal cortices, primary auditory cortices, and anterior cingulate cortex in all noise conditions, except at 0-dB SNR, which decreases activation and performance. When plotted as a function of signal-to-noise ratio, behavioral and fMRI data exhibited a noise-benefit inverted U-shaped curve. Additionally, a significant positive correlation was found between the activity of the right superior frontal gyrus (SFG) and performance in 5-dB SNR. The predicted phenomenon of SR on auditory working memory performance is confirmed. Findings from this study suggest that the optimal signal-to-noise ratio to enhance auditory working memory performance is within 10 to 5-dB SNR and that the right SFG may be a strategic structure involved in enhancement of auditory working memory performance. © 2019

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Additional Information:	2283/79710
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Auditory working memory, Education, Intensity, MRI, Neuroscience, Psychology, Stochastic resonance, White noise
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology > BF712 Developmental psychology
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of Psychology
Depositing User:	Dr Mariam Adawiah Dzulkifli
Date Deposited:	20 Mar 2020 22:03
Last Modified:	20 Mar 2020 22:03
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/79710

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