- Dopamine concentration highest in the PFC - D2 receptors layer V. Mesocortical dopaminergic system anatomical distribution suggest it influences anterior brain structures 
- Depletion of dopamine or blockage of dopamine receptor impairs working memory tasks performed by monkeys NOT observed when other neurotransmitters are depleted (seratonin, norepinephrine)
- Evidence from Parkinson's disease patients
- Administration of dopamine receptor agonists &/or antagonist to healthy young adults. Effecting working memory but not other cognitive abilities 

Dopamine & Working Memory 

Neuromodulatory brainstem projections affects our working memory cognition

New York University

Working memory is a cognitive system with a limited capacity that can hold information temporarily. Working memory is important for reasoning, learning and comprehension. Some of the manipulation of information takes place in working memory

Working Memory

D'esposito, Mark. (2008). Working Memory. Handbook of Clinical Neurology. Vol. 88.

- The phonological loop
- Visuospatial sketch pad
- The central executive 
- Episodic buffer

Parts of working memory (Baddeley's model)

A curve that displays how well respondents recall words depending on how long ago they were displayed.

Serial position curve 

Taking information from long term memory and transferring it to working memory.

Retrieval

In order to increase effectiveness, cognitive load theory should be considered during instructional design for online learning including MOOCs. Cognitive load refers to the amount of working memory an individual is using while learning information. Intrinsic cognitive load is the natural complexity of the material that is being learned. Extrinsic load is complexity of learning caused by ineffective instructional design. The goal of cognitive load theory is to reduce extrinsic load experienced by students. 

Cognitive Load Theory

The process of acquiring information and sending it to long term memory (WM to LTM).

Encoding

Working memory capacity is a psychological characteristic that refers to an individual's ability to simultaneously hold and process multiple pieces of information in their mind. In cognitive psychology, this capacity can be quantified using systematic measurement procedures.

Working Memory Capacity

There is converging functional neuroimaging evidence for the involvement of the sustained activity in the prefrontal cortex underlying the process of working memory during the delay period in a working memory task. And due to the fact that the PFC has a lot of cortico-cortico connections and coritco-subcortico connections, it might be the case that these different connections probably mediate different component processes of working memory. It has been believed for example the the cortical network might mediate the maintenance of goals, while the subcortical networks mediates response selection and motor control

The Neural Basis of Working Memory

Working Memory & Neuromodulatory Systems

The left hemisphere deals with working memory, concentration, executive planning, and positive emotions. 

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