The importance of the dorsal branch of the arcuate fasciculus in phonological working memory

Phonological working memory (PWM) is important for language learning and processing. The most studied language brain regions are the classical Broca's area on the inferior frontal gyrus and Wernicke's area on the posterior temporal region and their anatomical connection via the classic arcuate fasciculus (AF) referred to here as the ventral AF (AFv). However, areas on the middle frontal gyrus (MFG) are essential for PWM processes. There is also a dorsal branch of the AF (AFd) that specifically links the posterior temporal region with the MFG. Furthermore, there is the temporo-frontal extreme capsule fasciculus (TFexcF) that courses ventrally and links intermediate temporal areas with the lateral prefrontal cortex. The AFv, AFd and TFexcF were dissected virtually in the same participants who performed a PWM task in a functional magnetic resonance imaging study. The results showed that good performance on the PWM task was exclusively related to the properties of the left AFd, which specifically links area 8A (known to be involved in attentional aspects of executive control) with the posterior temporal region. The TFexcF, consistent with its known anatomical connection, was related to brain activation in area 9/46v of the MFG that is critical for monitoring the information in memory.

Automated summary

Phonological working memory (PWM) is crucial for language learning and processing. The middle frontal gyrus (MFG) and its connections with the posterior temporal region, specifically through the dorsal branch of the arcuate fasciculus (AFd) and the temporo-frontal extreme capsule fasciculus (TFexcF), play a significant role in PWM processes. Brain activation in area 8A of the left AFd is associated with attentional aspects of executive control, while area 9/46v of the MFG is critical for monitoring information in memory.