Cross-frequency interactions between frontal theta and posterior alpha control mechanisms foster working memory

Neural oscillatory activity in the theta (4–8 Hz) and alpha (8–14 Hz) bands has been associated with the implementation of executive function, with theta in midline frontal cortex and alpha in posterior parietal cortex related to working memory (WM) load. To identify how these spatially and spectral...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:NeuroImage (Orlando, Fla.) Fla.), 2018-11, Vol.181, p.728-733
Main Authors: Popov, Tzvetan, Popova, Petia, Harkotte, Maximilian, Awiszus, Barbara, Rockstroh, Brigitte, Miller, Gregory A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alpha oscillations
Brain research
Causality
Communication
Connectivity
Cortex (frontal)
Cortex (parietal)
Data analysis
EEG
Electroencephalography
Executive function
Granger causality
Memory
Reaction time task
Short term memory
Studies
Theta oscillations
Theta rhythms
Working memory
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Summary:Neural oscillatory activity in the theta (4–8 Hz) and alpha (8–14 Hz) bands has been associated with the implementation of executive function, with theta in midline frontal cortex and alpha in posterior parietal cortex related to working memory (WM) load. To identify how these spatially and spectrally distinct neural phenomena interact within a large-scale fronto-parietal network organized in service of WM, EEG was recorded while subjects performed an N-back WM task. Frontal theta power increase, paralleled by posterior alpha decrease, tracked participants' successful WM performance. These power fluctuations were inversely related both across and within trials and predicted reaction time, suggesting a functionally important communication channel within the fronto-parietal network. Granger causality analysis revealed directed parietal to frontal communication via alpha and frontal to parietal communication via theta. Results encourage consideration of these bidirectional, power-to-power, cross-frequency control mechanisms as an important feature of cerebral network organization supporting executive function. •Theta power increase, paralleled by posterior alpha decrease, tracks participants’ successful working memory performance.•Theta and alpha activity are inversely related both across and within trials.•Granger causality reveals directed parietal to frontal communication via alpha and frontal to parietal via theta activity.
ISSN:1053-8119
1095-9572
DOI:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.07.067