Preservation and changes in oscillatory dynamics across the cortical hierarchy

Lundqvist, Mikael; Bastos, André M.; Miller, Earl K.

doi:10.1101/2020.02.03.932533

Cited by 2 publications

References 45 publications

(77 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

Visual working memory recruits two functionally distinct alpha rhythms in posterior cortex

Larios

ElShafei

Wiehe

et al. 2022

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Oscillatory activity in the human brain is dominated by posterior alpha oscillations (8-14 Hz), which have been shown to be functionally relevant in a wide variety of cognitive tasks. Although posterior alpha oscillations are commonly considered a single oscillator anchored at an individual alpha frequency (IAF; ~10 Hz), previous work suggests that IAF reflects a spatial mixture of different brain rhythms. In this study, we assess whether Independent Component Analysis (ICA) can disentangle functionally distinct posterior alpha rhythms in the context of visual short-term memory retention. Magnetoencephalography (MEG) was recorded in 33 subjects while performing a visual working memory task. Group analysis at sensor level suggested the existence of a single posterior alpha oscillator that increases in power and decreases in frequency during memory retention. Conversely, single-subject analysis of independent components revealed the existence of two dissociable alpha rhythms: one that increases in power during memory retention (Alpha1) and another one that decreases in power (Alpha2). Alpha1 and Alpha2 rhythms were differentially modulated by the presence of visual distractors (Alpha1 increased in power while Alpha2 decreased) and had an opposite relationship with accuracy (positive for Alpha1 and negative for Alpha2). In addition, Alpha1 rhythms showed a lower peak frequency, a narrower peak width, a greater relative peak amplitude and a more central source than Alpha2 rhythms. Together, our results demonstrate that modulations in posterior alpha oscillations during short-term memory retention reflect the dynamics of at least two distinct brain rhythms with different functions and spatiospectral characteristics.

show abstract

Visual working memory recruits two functionally distinct alpha rhythms in posterior cortex

Larios

ElShafei

Wiehe

et al. 2022

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Growing evidence for separate neural mechanisms for attention and consciousness

Maier

Tsuchiya

2020

Atten Percept Psychophys

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Our conscious experience of the world seems to go in lockstep with our attentional focus: we tend to see, hear, taste and feel what we attend to, and vice versa. This tight coupling between attention and consciousness has given rise to the idea that these two phenomena are indivisible. In the late 1950s, the honoree of this special issue, Charles Eriksen, was among a small group of early pioneers that sought to investigate whether a transient increase in overall level of attention (alertness) in response to a noxious stimulus can be decoupled from conscious perception using experimental techniques. Recent years saw a similar debate regarding whether attention and consciousness are two dissociable processes. Initial evidence that attention and consciousness are two separate processes primarily rested on behavioral data. However, the past couple of years witnessed an explosion of studies aimed at testing this conjecture using neuroscientific techniques. Here we provide an overview of these and related empirical studies on the distinction between the neuronal correlates of attention and consciousness, and detail how advancements in theory and technology can bring about a more detailed understanding of the two. We argue that the most promising approach will combine ever evolving neurophysiological and interventionist tools with quantitative, empirically testable theories of consciousness that are grounded in a mathematically formalized understanding of phenomenology.

show abstract

Preservation and changes in oscillatory dynamics across the cortical hierarchy

Cited by 2 publications

References 45 publications

Visual working memory recruits two functionally distinct alpha rhythms in posterior cortex

Visual working memory recruits two functionally distinct alpha rhythms in posterior cortex

Growing evidence for separate neural mechanisms for attention and consciousness

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About