Interactions between external and internal attention processes during working memory

BACKGROUND: The interaction between internally and externally driven attention (IDA and EDA) during visual working memory tasks has been primarily investigated separately. There is growing evidence that EDA and IDA interact closely during working memory. However, it seems that previous studies, especially those utilizing EEG, did not modulate EDA and IDA within the same task. Thus, there is a paucity of information on how the two processes interact with each other on the neural level. NEW METHOD: We developed a novel paradigm, the PUMA Task, to investigate the interplay between IDA and EDA. This task allows for simultaneous manipulation of IDA and EDA by varying the number of items to be remembered and the complexity of the visual stimuli. RESULTS: EEG power spectra, eye-tracking measures (pupillometry and fixation disparity) and behavioral response times were sensitive to the interaction between IDA and EDA. Alpha-beta cross-frequency coupling was primarily influenced by EDA. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS: Previous studies often modulated either EDA or IDA, but not both within the same task. The PUMA task enables concurrent manipulation of both attentional processes, providing a more comprehensive understanding of their interaction. CONCLUSIONS: The PUMA task is a valuable tool for investigating the interplay between IDA and EDA during visual working memory. Our findings suggest that IDA and EDA are distinct attentional processes that dynamically interact, affecting working memory performance and neural correlates. Importantly, our newly developed task can be employed to more selectively assess attentional subprocesses in neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders.