Working memory reloaded: Tyrosine repletes updating in the N-Back task

Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience

Bryant eJongkees¹  Lorenza eColzato¹  Roberta eSellaro¹  Bernhard eHommel¹ 

[1] Leiden University;

关键词: Dopamine;    Tyrosine;    working memory;    n-back task;    ego-depletion;    Updating;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fnbeh.2013.00200

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

In this study we tested the idea that the food supplement L-Tyrosine (TYR) repletes resources required for cognitive-control operations. We investigated whether the updating (and monitoring of) working memory (WM) representations, a key cognitive-control function, can be promoted by administering TYR, the biochemical precursor of dopamine. Participants performed an N-back task where we compared the WM-demanding 2-back condition with the WM-undemanding 1-back condition. As expected, TYR promoted performance in the more demanding (2-back) but not in the easier (1-back) condition, suggesting that TYR selectively targets cognitive-control operations. This result suggests that TYR can replete cognitive resources when more control is needed and, more generally, that food can act as a cognitive enhancer.

【 授权许可】

Unknown