Thinking theta and alpha: Mechanisms of intuitive and analytical reasoning

Williams, Chad C.; Kappen, Mitchel; Hassall, Cameron D.; Wright, Bruce; Krigolson, Olave E.

doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.01.048

Cited by 60 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Delta activity is posited to reflect the processing of the complexity of rewarding events (Bernat et al., 2015; Walsh & Anderson, 2016) to motivate action selection (Cavanagh, 2015; Walsh and Anderson, 2016). In contrast, Cavanagh and Frank (2014; see also Cavanagh et al., 2012; Lin et al, 2018; Williams et al., 2019) have outlined frontal theta activity to reflect neural signals of surprise and uncertainty. Specifically, they found the presence of theta power with errors, punishment, novelty, and conflict and conclude that this is evidence of its involvement as a signal for the need for cognitive control.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The ERP, frequency, and time–frequency correlates of feedback processing: Insights from a large sample study

et al. 2020

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Human learning, at least in part, appears to be dependent on the evaluation of how outcomes of our actions align with our expectations. Over the past 23 years, electroencephalography (EEG) has been used to probe the neural signatures of feedback processing. Seminal work demonstrated a difference in the human event‐related potential (ERP) dependent on whether people were processing correct or incorrect feedback. Since then, these feedback evoked ERPs have been associated with reinforcement learning and conflict monitoring, tied to subsequent behavioral adaptations, and shown to be sensitive to a wide range of factors (e.g., Parkinson's disease). Recently, research has turned to frequency decomposition techniques to examine how changes in the EEG power spectra are related to underlying learning mechanisms. Although the literature on the neural correlates of feedback processing is vast, there are still methodological discrepancies and differences in results across studies. Here, we provide reference results and an investigation of methodological considerations for the ERP (reward positivity) and frequency (delta and theta power) correlates of feedback evaluation with a large sample size. Specifically, participants (n = 500) performed a two‐armed bandit task while we recorded EEG. Our findings provide key information about the data characteristics and relationships that exist between the neural signatures of feedback evaluation. Additionally, we conclude with selected methodological recommendations for standardization of future research. All data and scripts are freely provided to facilitate open science.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The ERP, frequency, and time–frequency correlates of feedback processing: Insights from a large sample study

et al. 2020

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“…While alpha oscillations have been associated with the storage and retrieval of information; theta oscillations have been associated with the manipulation of information [13][14][15][16][17] . Accordingly, changes in alpha-theta cross-frequency interactions (depending on cognitive task demands) have been suggested to reflect the degree of integration between the executive (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

From thoughtless awareness to effortful cognition: alpha - theta cross-frequency dynamics in experienced meditators during meditation, rest and arithmetic

Rodriguez‐Larios

Faber

Achermann

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Neural activity is known to oscillate within discrete frequency bands and the synchronization between these rhythms is hypothesized to underlie information integration in the brain. Since strict synchronization is only possible for harmonic frequencies, a recent theory proposes that the interaction between different brain rhythms is facilitated by transient harmonic frequency arrangements. In this line, it has been recently shown that the transient occurrence of 2:1 harmonic cross-frequency relationships between alpha and theta rhythms (i.e. falpha≈12 Hz;ftheta≈6 Hz) is enhanced during effortful cognition. In this study, we tested whether achieving a state of 'mental emptiness' during meditation is accompanied by a relative decrease in the occurrence of 2:1 harmonic cross-frequency relationships between alpha and theta rhythms.Continuous EEG recordings (19 electrodes) were obtained from 43 highly experienced meditators during meditation practice, rest and an arithmetic task. We show that the occurrence of transient alpha:theta 2:1 harmonic relationships increased linearly from a meditative to an active cognitive processing state (i.e. meditation< rest< arithmetic task). It is argued that transient EEG cross-frequency arrangements that prevent alpha:theta crossfrequency coupling could facilitate the experience of 'mental emptiness' by avoiding the interaction between the memory and executive components of cognition.

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“…Brain oscillations at alpha (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14) and theta (4-8 Hz) frequency bands have been shown play to key role in a wide variety of cognitive tasks involving memory and executive control 12 . While alpha oscillations have been associated with the storage and retrieval of information; theta oscillations have been associated with the manipulation of information [13][14][15][16][17] . Accordingly, changes in alpha-theta cross-frequency interactions (depending on cognitive task demands) have been suggested to reflect the degree of integration between the executive (i.e.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

From thoughtless awareness to effortful cognition: alpha - theta cross-frequency dynamics in experienced meditators during meditation, rest and arithmetic

Rodriguez‐Larios

Faber²,

Achermann

et al. 2020

Sci Rep

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Neural activity is known to oscillate within discrete frequency bands and the synchronization between these rhythms is hypothesized to underlie information integration in the brain. Since strict synchronization is only possible for harmonic frequencies, a recent theory proposes that the interaction between different brain rhythms is facilitated by transient harmonic frequency arrangements. In this line, it has been recently shown that the transient occurrence of 2:1 harmonic cross-frequency relationships between alpha and theta rhythms (i.e. f alpha ≈ 12 Hz; f theta ≈ 6 Hz) is enhanced during effortful cognition. In this study, we tested whether achieving a state of 'mental emptiness' during meditation is accompanied by a relative decrease in the occurrence of 2:1 harmonic cross-frequency relationships between alpha and theta rhythms. Continuous EEG recordings (19 electrodes) were obtained from 43 highly experienced meditators during meditation practice, rest and an arithmetic task. We show that the occurrence of transient alpha:theta 2:1 harmonic relationships increased linearly from a meditative to an active cognitive processing state (i.e. meditation < rest < arithmetic task). It is argued that transient EEG cross-frequency arrangements that prevent alpha:theta cross-frequency coupling could facilitate the experience of 'mental emptiness' by avoiding the interaction between the memory and executive components of cognition.

show abstract

Thinking theta and alpha: Mechanisms of intuitive and analytical reasoning

Cited by 60 publications

References 41 publications

The ERP, frequency, and time–frequency correlates of feedback processing: Insights from a large sample study

The ERP, frequency, and time–frequency correlates of feedback processing: Insights from a large sample study

From thoughtless awareness to effortful cognition: alpha - theta cross-frequency dynamics in experienced meditators during meditation, rest and arithmetic

From thoughtless awareness to effortful cognition: alpha - theta cross-frequency dynamics in experienced meditators during meditation, rest and arithmetic

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