Beta Oscillations in Working Memory, Executive Control of Movement and Thought, and Sensorimotor Function

Abstract

Beta oscillations (ϳ13 to 30 Hz) have been observed during many perceptual, cognitive, and motor processes in a plethora of brain recording studies. Although the function of beta oscillations (hereafter "beta" for short) is unlikely to be explained by any single monolithic description, we here discuss several convergent findings. In prefrontal cortex (PFC), increased beta appears at the end of a trial when working memory information needs to be erased. A similar "clear-out" function might apply during the stopping of action and the stopping of long-term memory retrieval (stopping thoughts), where increased prefrontal beta is also observed. A different apparent role for beta in PFC occurs during the delay period of working memory tasks: it might serve to maintain the current contents and/or to prevent interference from distraction. We confront the challenge of relating these observations to the large literature on beta recorded from sensorimotor cortex. Potentially, the clear-out of working memory in PFC has its counterpart in the postmovement clear-out of the motor plan in sensorimotor cortex. However, recent studies support alternative interpretations. In addition, we flag emerging research on different frequencies of beta and the relationship between beta and single-neuron spiking. We also discuss where beta might be generated: basal ganglia, cortex, or both. We end by considering the clinical implications for adaptive deep-brain stimulation.

Preservation and changes in oscillatory dynamics across the cortical hierarchy

“…Alpha/beta and gamma rhythms are common and anti-correlated across the cortex but it has been unclear whether or not they have similar functional relationship in different areas. Frontal beta rhythms have been associated with top-down attention, inhibiting motor actions, and working memory storage (Schmidt et al, 2019: Lundqvist et al, 2016Buschman and Miller, 2007). Occipital and parietal alpha has been linked to inhibition of unattended stimuli (Klimesch et al, 1998;Jokisch and Jensen, 2007;van Ede et al, 2011;Bollimunta et al, 2011;Rohenkohl and Nobre, 2011).…”

“…Occipital and parietal alpha has been linked to inhibition of unattended stimuli (Klimesch et al, 1998;Jokisch and Jensen, 2007;van Ede et al, 2011;Bollimunta et al, 2011;Rohenkohl and Nobre, 2011). Gamma power increases (and alpha/beta power decreases) in sensory cortex during sensory input and before/during movements in motor cortex (Brovelli et al, 2004;Cheyne et al, 2008;Schmidt et al, 2019;Fries et al, 2001, Gray et al, 1990Gevins et al, 1997;Fisch et al, 2009). Frontal beta, and premotor alpha are correlated with reduced spike rates (Haegens et al, 2011;Lundqvist et al, 2016;.…”

“…Increases in gamma power occur during sensory inputs/motor outputs while increases in alpha/beta have occur during top-down control and inhibition (Gray et al, 1990;Bastos et al, 2015, Buschmann andMiller, 2007;Van Ede et al, 2011, Lundqvist et al, 2016, Van Kerkoele et al, 2014, Fisch et al, 2009Jokisch and Jensen, 2007;Pfurtscheller and Aranibar, 1977). For example, in motor cortex, beta power is high and gamma low when movements are inhibited but this reverses when movement is released (Pfurtscheller et al, 1996;Brovelli et al, 2004;Cheyne et al, 2008;Schmidt et al, 2019). In visual cortex, gamma power is high and alpha low during sensory stimulation; vice-versa during focal attention (Fries et al, 2001, Gray et al, 1990Gevins et al, 1997;Fisch et al, 2009;Klimesch et al, 1998;Bollimunta et al, 2011;Buffalo et al, 2011;Pfurtscheller and Aranibar, 1977;Jokisch and Jensen, 2007;van Ede et al, 2011;Rohenkohl and Nobre, 2011).…”

CA1 20-40 Hz oscillatory dynamics reflect trial-specific information processing supporting nonspatial sequence memory

“…As with other neural recording data, it is difficult to determine what the observed 20-40 Hz power dynamics reflect in terms of information processing and how they are linked with behavior. Oscillations in this range (typically referred to as beta) occur widely across the cortex and have been associated with different functions across brain regions (Engel & Fries, 2010; Schmidt et al, 2019). Of particular relevance here, beta has been associated with olfactory processing (Martin & Ravel, 2014), temporal estimation (Wiener, Parikh, Krakow & Coslett, 2018), working memory (Miller, Lundqvist & Bastos, 2018), and postural maintenance (Kilavik et al, 2013).…”

Temporal codes of visual working memory in the human cerebral cortex

“…For example, Mapelli & Özkurt (2019) showed that alpha-beta activity in the parieto-occipital cortex was larger in incorrectly-than correctly-answered trials of a vWM task. The enhanced alpha/beta powers in a retention period (Jensen et al, 2002;Palva et al, 2011) therefore might reflect the decay or "clearing-out" (not maintenance) of WM contents Schmidt et al, 2019).…”