Genetic influences on phase synchrony of brain oscillations supporting response inhibition

Abstract

Phase synchronization of neuronal oscillations is a fundamental mechanism underlying cognitive processing and behavior, including context-dependent response production and inhibition. Abnormalities in neural synchrony can lead to abnormal information processing and contribute to cognitive and behavioral deficits in neuropsychiatric disorders. However, little is known about genetic and environmental contributions to individual differences in cortical oscillatory dynamics underlying response inhibition. This study examined heritability of event-related phase synchronization of brain oscillations in 302 young female twins including 94 MZ and 57 DZ pairs performing a cued Go/No-Go version of the Continuous Performance Test (CPT). We used the Phase Locking Index (PLI) to assess inter-trial phase clustering (synchrony) in several frequency bands in two time intervals after stimulus onset (0–300 and 301–600 ms). Response inhibition (i.e., successful response suppression in No-Go trials) was characterized by a transient increase in phase synchronization of delta- and theta-band oscillations in the fronto-central midline region. Genetic analysis showed significant heritability of the phase locking measures related to response inhibition, with 30 to 49% of inter-individual variability being accounted for by genetic factors. This is the first study providing evidence for heritability of task-related neural synchrony. The present results suggest that PLI can serve as an indicator of genetically transmitted individual differences in neural substrates of response inhibition.

On the relevance of EEG resting theta activity for the neurophysiological dynamics underlying motor inhibitory control

“…Theta band activity was generally lower in Go compared to Nogo trials, which is in line with previous findings Dippel et al, 2016Dippel et al, , 2017Huster et al, 2013;Liu et al, 2014;Müller et al, 2017;Vahid et al, 2018). Theta band activity was generally lower in Go compared to Nogo trials, which is in line with previous findings Dippel et al, 2016Dippel et al, , 2017Huster et al, 2013;Liu et al, 2014;Müller et al, 2017;Vahid et al, 2018).…”

“…As with other aspects of cognitive control, there are strong interindividual differences in the increase of theta frequency band power in Nogo trials (Moore, Mills, Marshman, & Corr, 2012;Müller et al, 2017;Schmüser et al, 2016;Vahid et al, 2018). As with other aspects of cognitive control, there are strong interindividual differences in the increase of theta frequency band power in Nogo trials (Moore, Mills, Marshman, & Corr, 2012;Müller et al, 2017;Schmüser et al, 2016;Vahid et al, 2018).…”

“…However, as mentioned above, evidence indicates that successful response inhibition performance is associated with elevated (event-related) theta band activity Dippel et al, 2016, 2017Huster et al, 2013Liu et al, 2014;Müller et al, 2017;Vahid et al, 2018). However, as mentioned above, evidence indicates that successful response inhibition performance is associated with elevated (event-related) theta band activity Dippel et al, 2016, 2017Huster et al, 2013Liu et al, 2014;Müller et al, 2017;Vahid et al, 2018).…”

“…When using Go/Nogo tasks to measure response inhibition, studies have commonly found that medial frontal theta band activity is increased during Nogo compared to Go trials Dippel et al, 2016;Dippel et al, 2017;Huster et al, 2013;Liu et al, 2014;Müller et al, 2017;Vahid et al, 2018).…”

“…The degree of this increase seems to be related to the need to inhibit a prepotent response in Nogo trials . As with other aspects of cognitive control, there are strong interindividual differences in the increase of theta frequency band power in Nogo trials (Moore, Mills, Marshman, & Corr, 2012;Müller et al, 2017;Schmüser et al, 2016;Vahid et al, 2018). Recent analyses using machinelearning approaches show that particularly inhibitory control-related theta frequency band activity predicts response inhibition performance well (Vahid et al, 2018).…”