Dynamic and flexible transformation and reallocation of visual working memory representations

In their recent review, Xu critically assesses the role of early visual areas in VWM storage in the light of new fMRI-decoding studies that seemingly support the sensory storage account. We would like to extend the discussion by highlighting recent findings which suggest that early visual areas can dynamically transform active VWM representations e.g., to activity silent or long-term memory representations. These latent codes evade detection via traditional paradigms as well as decoding methods and hence limit the conclusions that can be drawn about the role of certain brain regions in WM storage. More precisely we claim that a lack or a temporary disappearance of multivariate VWM evidence from early visual brain regions does not imply that these areas are not essentially required to store and maintain active, or currently attended, VWM representations.