How inhibition shapes human brain oscillations and working memory capacity

The ability to retain information in short-term 'working' memory is crucial for cognition, influencing our personality and intelligence. However, the brain mechanisms underlying this fundamental process remain unclear. Converging evidence from animal/computational research indicates that brain oscillations in high frequency 'gamma' bands, which depend on neural inhibition, are critical for working memory. This project will use a novel, multi-modal approach to investigate the link between inhibitory mechanisms, gamma oscillations and working memory in humans. Mapping a path from molecules to cognition will detail how neural mechanisms shape human behavioural performance and guide efforts to enhance memory and cognitive function.