How Long-Term Memory Facilitates Working Memory: Evidence From Flexible Responses and Neural Oscillations

Historically,workingmemory (WM) and long-termmemory (LTM)were viewed as distinct systems, operating independently. Recent research, however, has uncovered intricate interactions between these memory systems, revealing that LTM information can enhance the WM performance. This study investigates the mechanisms underlying such facilitation through a delayed color-recall task, adapted from Brady et al. (2009). Across three experiments, we systematically manipulated stimulus pairings with temporarily invalidating (Experiment 2) or changing (Experiment 3) statistical pairing regularities. The results demonstrated subjects’ flexible utilization of recent input regularities, showcasing their control over this information. Furthermore, regularity learning selectivelymodulated neural oscillations during the encoding phase, indicating reduced information storage and increased mental resource deployment when leveraging regularities to enhance theWMperformances. In sum, this study shed new light on how and when LTM facilitates WM performances through rapid learning and flexible implementation of regularities between stimuli.