Visual perceptual load and processing of somatosensory stimuli in primary and secondary somatosensory cortices.

Load theory assumes that neural activation to distractors in early sensory cortices is modulated by the perceptual load of a main task, regardless of whether task and distractor share the same sensory modality or not. While several studies have investigated the question of load effects on distractor processing in early sensory areas, there is no functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study regarding load effects on somatosensory stimuli. Here, we used fMRI to investigate effects of visual perceptual load on neural responses to somatosensory stimuli applied to the wrist in a study with 44 participants.

The effects of visual perceptual load on detection performance and event-related potentials to auditory stimuli.

Load Theory states that perceptual load prevents, or at least reduces, the processing of task-unrelated stimuli. This study systematically examined the detection and neural processing of auditory stimuli unrelated to a visual foreground task. The visual task was designed to create continuous perceptual load, alternated between low and high load, and contained performance feedback to motivate participants to focus on the visual task instead of the auditory stimuli presented in the background.

The effects of visual working memory load on detection and neural processing of task-unrelated auditory stimuli.

While perceptual load has been proposed to reduce the processing of task-unrelated stimuli, theoretical arguments and empirical findings for other forms of task load are inconclusive. Here, we systematically investigated the detection and neural processing of auditory stimuli varying in stimulus intensity during a stimuli-unrelated visual working memory task alternating between low and high load. We found, depending on stimulus strength, decreased stimulus detection and reduced P3, but unaffected N1 amplitudes of the event-related potential to auditory stimuli under high as compared to low load.

Effects of perceptual and working memory load on brain responses to task-irrelevant stimuli: Review and implications for future research.

Load Theory assumes that the extent of processing of task-irrelevant information depends on the level (high vs. low load) and type (perceptual vs. working memory) of task load.

The Agony of Choice? Preserved Affective Decision Making in Early Multiple Sclerosis.

Cognitive impairment (CI) is an early and frequent symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS). Likewise, affective symptoms (e.g.