Hemodynamic Response Asymmetry of the Prefrontal Cortex During a Cognitive Load Task

Abstract

Investigations of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) asymmetry have been conducted in neuroscience research during cognitive load using +electroencephalography (EEG) and other neuroimaging techniques. A few studies used functional near-infrared signals (fNIRS) to analyze asymmetry during cognitive load. This study examined the hemodynamic response asymmetry in the PFC area during N-back load memory tasks, including ive, 2-, and 3-back electroencephalography (EEG) and other neuroimaging techniques. A few studies used functional near-infrared signals (fNIRS) to analyze asymmetry during cognitive load. This study examined the hemodynamic response asymmetry in the PFC area during N-back load memory tasks, including 1-, 2-, and 3-back. The investigation results show that the asymmetry index value fluctuates as the level of memory load rises. In particular, the 1-back task's positive asymmetry index value (M = 0.2761,SD = 0.4139) suggested that left-hemisphere activity was more remarkable than right-hemisphere activation. The asymmetry index, on the other hand, revealed a negative value of (M = - 0.2105,SD= 0.4252) and (M = - 0.3665,SD = 1.2472) for the 2-back and 3-back memory tasks, respectively, indicating that the right hemisphere experienced a more significant increase in Hbo activation than the left.