Neural mechanisms of resource allocation in working memory

To mitigate capacity limits of working memory, people allocate resources according to an item’s relevance. However, the neural mechanisms supporting such a critical operation remain unknown. Here, we developed computational neuroimaging methods to decode and demix neural responses associated with multiple items in working memory with different priorities. In striate and extrastriate cortex, the gain of neural responses tracked the priority of memoranda. We decoded higher-priority memoranda with smaller error and lower uncertainty. Moreover, these neural differences predicted behavioral differences in memory prioritization between and within participants. Remarkably, trialwise variability in the magnitude of delay activity in frontal cortex predicted differences in decoded precision between low and high-priority items in visual cortex. These results support a model in which feedback signals broadcast from frontal cortex sculpt the gain of memory representations in visual cortex according..., , , ---

# Neural Mechanisms of Resource Allocation in Working Memory

This repository contains data and code reported in:

> **Li, H. H., Sprague, T. C., Yoo, A. H., Ma, W. J., & Curtis, C. E. (2025). Neural mechanisms of resource allocation in working memory. Science Advances.**

If you use any of the code or data in this repository, include the above reference.

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## I. Data

### Behavioral Data

* **Folders:** `data/behav_1item` and `data/behav_2item`
* **Description:**
Files in these folders contain trial-by-trial information on condition, target location, and behavioral reports.
* **Filenames:**
Files are named by the subject ID (from S1 to S11)
* **Variables for the 1-item Experiment:**
* `wm_ang`:
* Location of the target (in degree polar angle)
* `behEst`:
* Behavioral reports (in polar angle)
* **Variables for the 2-item Experiment:**
* `targ_angs`:
* First column: Location of the target (in degree polar angle)
* Second column: Location of the non-targ..., Explicit written consents were obtained from all the participants, for data collection and for publishing de-identified data in the public domain. The data published did not contain any identifiable information. Subject's names are replaced by anonymous id numbers.