Multivariate Decoding of the Retrieval Brain State Across Cognition

Brain states – stable patterns of whole-brain activity and connectivity – dictate neural processing and behav- ioral outcomes, yet understanding of specific brain states remains limited. In particular, there has been limited consideration of how the retrieval state may drive the processes and representations that support memory and cognition. The long-term goal of this research program is to link cognitive brain states and behavior. The overall objective of the current application is to define the properties of the retrieval state. The central hypothesis of this proposal is that the retrieval state reflects a control-independent internal attention brain state. The specific aims of this proposal are to establish retrieval state temporal dynamics, link retrieval and internally directed attention, and identify the factors that induce retrieval. This proposal will use multivariate decoding of scalp EEG data to index trial-level retrieval over time and across tasks. The findings of the current proposal are expected to provide a significant conceptual advance that will be broadly relevant to understanding memory and cognition.