Dual process coding of recalled locations in human oscillatory brain activity

Abstract

A mental representation of the location of an object can be constructed using sensory information selected from the environment and information stored internally. Human electrophysiological evidence indicates that behaviorally relevant locations, regardless of the source of sensory information, are represented in alphaband oscillations suggesting a shared process. Here we present evidence from human subjects of either sex for two distinct alpha-band based processes that separately support the representation of location, exploiting sensory evidence sampled either externally or internally. Significance StatementOur sensory environment and our internal trains of thought are coded in patterns of brain activity and are used to guide coherent behavior. Oscillations in the alpha frequency band are a predominant feature of human brain activity. This oscillation plays a central role in both selective attention and working memory, suggesting that these important cognitive functions are mediated by a unitary mechanism. We show that the alpha oscillation reflects two distinct processes, one that is supported by continuous sampling of the external sensory environment, and one that is based on sampling from internal representations coded in visual shortterm memory. This represents a significant change in our understanding of the nature of alpha oscillations and their relationship to attention and memory.