Frontal Oscillatory Dynamics Predict Feedback Learning and Action Adjustment

Frontal oscillatory dynamics in the theta (4–8 Hz) and beta (20–30 Hz) frequency bands have been implicated in cognitive control processes. Here we investigated the changes in coordinated activity within and between frontal brain areas during feedback-based response learning. In a time estimation task, participants learned to press a button after specific, randomly selected time intervals (300–2000 msec) using the feedback after each button press (correct, too fast, too slow). Consistent with previous findings, theta-band activity over medial frontal scalp sites (presumably reflecting medial frontal cortex activity) was stronger after negative feedback, whereas beta-band activity was stronger after positive feedback. Theta-band power predicted learning only after negative feedback, and beta-band power predicted learning after positive and negative feedback. Furthermore, negative feedback increased theta-band intersite phase synchrony (a millisecond resolution measure of functional connectivity) among right lateral prefrontal, medial frontal, and sensorimotor sites. These results demonstrate the importance of frontal theta- and beta-band oscillations and intersite communication in the realization of reinforcement learning.

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The cerebellar clock: predicting and timing somatosensory touch

10.1101/2020.10.01.321455 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Lau M. Andersen ◽

Sarang S. Dalal

Keyword(s):

Human Brain ◽

Sensory Feedback ◽

Theta Band ◽

Beta Band ◽

Precise Timing ◽

Band Power ◽

Sensory Expectations ◽

Band Activity

0AbstractHumans are adept at predicting what will happen next and when precisely it will occur. An activity as everyday as walking at a steady pace through a busy city while talking to a friend can only happen as smoothly as it does because the human brain has predicted most of the sensory feedback it will receive. It is only when the sensory feedback does not match what was expected, say, a sudden slippery spot on the pavement, that one becomes aware of the sensory feedback. The cerebellum is known to be involved in these predictions, but not much is known about the precise timing of them due to the scarcity of time-sensitive cerebellar neuroimaging studies, such as ones conducted with magnetoencephalography.We here investigated the timing of sensory expectations as they are expressed in the cerebellum using magnetoencephalography. We did this by comparing the cerebellum’s response to somatosensory omissions from regular trains of stimulation to its response to omissions from irregular trains of stimulation. This revealed that omissions following regular trains of stimulation showed higher cerebellar power in the beta band than those following irregular trains of stimulation, precisely when the omitted stimulus should have appeared. We also found evidence of cerebellar theta band activity encoding the rhythm of new sequences of stimulationOur results furthermore strongly suggest that the putamen and the thalamus mirror the cerebellum in showing higher beta band power when omissions followed regular trains of stimulation compared to when they followed irregular trains of stimulation.We interpret this as the cerebellum functioning as a clock that precisely encodes and predicts upcoming stimulation, perhaps in tandem with the putamen and thalamus. Relative to less predictable stimuli, perfectly predictable stimuli induce greater cerebellar power. This implies that the cerebellum entrains to rhythmic stimuli for the purpose of catching any deviations from that rhythm.

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Beta-band desynchronization reflects uncertainty in effector selection during motor planning

10.1101/2021.04.23.441147 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Milou J.L. van Helvert ◽

Leonie Oostwoud Wijdenes ◽

Linda Geerligs ◽

W. Pieter Medendorp

Keyword(s):

Time Window ◽

Brain Activity ◽

Motor Planning ◽

Reaction Times ◽

Motor Preparation ◽

Motion Artifact ◽

Theta Band ◽

Beta Band ◽

Target Uncertainty ◽

Band Power

AbstractWhile beta-band activity during motor planning is known to be modulated by uncertainty about where to act, less is known about its modulations to uncertainty about how to act. To investigate this issue, we recorded oscillatory brain activity with EEG while human participants (n = 17) performed a hand choice reaching task. The reaching hand was either predetermined or of participants’ choice, and the target was close to one of the two hands or at about equal distance from both. To measure neural activity in a motion-artifact-free time window, the location of the upcoming target was cued 1000-1500 ms before the presentation of the target, whereby the cue was valid in 50% of trials. As evidence for motor planning during the cueing phase, behavioral observations showed that the cue affected later hand choice. Furthermore, reaction times were longer in the choice than in the predetermined trials, supporting the notion of a competitive process for hand selection. Modulations of beta-band power over central cortical regions, but not alpha-band or theta-band power, were in line with these observations. During the cueing period, reaches in predetermined trials were preceded by larger decreases in beta-band power than reaches in choice trials. Cue direction did not affect reaction times or beta-band power, which may be due to the cue being invalid in 50% of trials, retaining effector uncertainty during motor planning. Our findings suggest that effector uncertainty, similar to target uncertainty, selectively modulates beta-band power during motor planning.New & NoteworthyWhile reach-related beta-band power in central cortical areas is known to modulate with the number of potential targets, here we show, using a cueing paradigm, that the power in this frequency band, but not in the alpha or theta-band, is also modulated by the uncertainty of which hand to use. This finding supports the notion that multiple possible effector-specific actions can be specified in parallel up to the level of motor preparation.

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Frequency-based Segregation of Syntactic and Semantic Unification during Online Sentence Level Language Comprehension

Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience ◽

10.1162/jocn_a_00829 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 27 (11) ◽

pp. 2095-2107 ◽

Cited By ~ 49

Author(s):

Marcel Bastiaansen ◽

Peter Hagoort

Keyword(s):

Language Comprehension ◽

Syntactic Structure ◽

Critical Word ◽

Beta Band ◽

Brain Areas ◽

Oscillatory Dynamics ◽

Band Power ◽

Sentence Level ◽

Word Onset ◽

Semantic Unification

During sentence level language comprehension, semantic and syntactic unification are functionally distinct operations. Nevertheless, both recruit roughly the same brain areas (spatially overlapping networks in the left frontotemporal cortex) and happen at the same time (in the first few hundred milliseconds after word onset). We tested the hypothesis that semantic and syntactic unification are segregated by means of neuronal synchronization of the functionally relevant networks in different frequency ranges: gamma (40 Hz and up) for semantic unification and lower beta (10–20 Hz) for syntactic unification. EEG power changes were quantified as participants read either correct sentences, syntactically correct though meaningless sentences (syntactic prose), or sentences that did not contain any syntactic structure (random word lists). Other sentences contained either a semantic anomaly or a syntactic violation at a critical word in the sentence. Larger EEG gamma-band power was observed for semantically coherent than for semantically anomalous sentences. Similarly, beta-band power was larger for syntactically correct sentences than for incorrect ones. These results confirm the existence of a functional dissociation in EEG oscillatory dynamics during sentence level language comprehension that is compatible with the notion of a frequency-based segregation of syntactic and semantic unification.

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Right inferior frontal gyrus implements motor inhibitory control via beta-band oscillations in humans

eLife ◽

10.7554/elife.61679 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

Author(s):

Michael Schaum ◽

Edoardo Pinzuti ◽

Alexandra Sebastian ◽

Klaus Lieb ◽

Pascal Fries ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Inhibitory Control ◽

Response Inhibition ◽

Supplementary Motor Area ◽

Inferior Frontal Gyrus ◽

Neural Mechanisms ◽

Beta Band ◽

Changing Environments ◽

Band Power ◽

The Right ◽

Band Activity

Motor inhibitory control implemented as response inhibition is an essential cognitive function required to dynamically adapt to rapidly changing environments. Despite over a decade of research on the neural mechanisms of response inhibition, it remains unclear, how exactly response inhibition is initiated and implemented. Using a multimodal MEG/fMRI approach in 59 subjects, our results reliably reveal that response inhibition is initiated by the right inferior frontal gyrus (rIFG) as a form of attention-independent top-down control that involves the modulation of beta-band activity. Furthermore, stopping performance was predicted by beta-band power, and beta-band connectivity was directed from rIFG to pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA), indicating rIFG’s dominance over pre-SMA. Thus, these results strongly support the hypothesis that rIFG initiates stopping, implemented by beta-band oscillations with potential to open up new ways of spatially localized oscillation-based interventions.

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Neural encoding of reliability and validity of directional information during the preparation of targeted movements

10.1101/2020.09.17.302000 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Charidimos Tzagarakis ◽

Sarah West ◽

Giuseppe Pellizzer

Keyword(s):

Reaction Time ◽

Visual Information ◽

Motor Response ◽

Reliability And Validity ◽

Motor Preparation ◽

Theta Band ◽

Beta Band ◽

Motor Processes ◽

Band Power ◽

The Brain

AbstractVisual information about an upcoming target can be used to prepare an appropriate motor response and reduce its reaction time. However, when the anticipation is incorrect and the planned response must be changed, the reaction time is lengthened. Here, we investigated the brain mechanisms associated with the reliability and validity of visual information used for motor preparation. We recorded brain activity using magnetoencephalography (MEG) during a delayed reaching task in which a visual cue provided valid information about the location of the upcoming target with 50, 75 or 100% reliability. We found that reaction time increased as cue reliability decreased and that trials with invalid cues had longer reaction times than trials with valid cues. MEG channel analysis showed that beta-band power from left mid-anterior channels correlated with the reliability of the cue after cue onset but before target onset. This effect was source localized over a large motor-related cortical and subcortical network. In addition, during invalid-cue trials there was a phasic increase of theta-band power following target onset from left posterior channels, localized to the left occipito-parietal cortex. Furthermore, the theta-beta cross-frequency coupling between left mid-occipital and motor cortex also transiently increased before responses to invalid-cue trials. In conclusion, beta-band power in motor-related areas reflected the reliability of visual information used during motor preparation, whereas phasic theta-band activity signaled whether the target was at the expected location or not. These results elucidate mechanisms of interaction between attentional and motor processes.Significance StatementWe used magnetoencephalography to investigate how the brain mechanisms preparing a motor response take into account the reliability of information about the upcoming location of a target to reach, and how these mechanisms adjust when that information turns out to be incorrect. We found that during the response preparation, the power of motor-related beta-band oscillations changed with the reliability of the visual information. In addition, we found that after the onset of the target the power of the left occipito-parietal theta-band signaled whether the prior information was correct or not. The pattern of activity of the beta-band and theta-band explain the pattern of latency of responses in the task, and demonstrate how attentional and motor processes interact.

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Bilaterally Reduced Rolandic Beta Band Activity in Minor Stroke Patients

10.1101/2021.10.15.464457 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Joshua P Kulasingham ◽

Christian Brodbeck ◽

Sheena Khan ◽

Elisabeth B Marsh ◽

Jonathan Z Simon

Keyword(s):

Sensorimotor Cortex ◽

Reaction Times ◽

Minor Stroke ◽

Button Press ◽

Beta Band ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Potential Biomarker ◽

Beta Power ◽

Motor Dexterity ◽

Band Activity

Objective: Stroke patients with hemiparesis display decreased beta band (13-25 Hz) rolandic activity, correlating to impaired motor function. However, patients without significant weakness, with small lesions far from sensorimotor cortex, nevertheless exhibit bilateral decreased motor dexterity and slowed reaction times. We investigate whether these minor stroke patients also display abnormal beta band activity. Methods: Magnetoencephalographic (MEG) data were collected from nine minor stroke patients (NIHSS < 4) without significant hemiparesis, at ~1 and ~6 months postinfarct, and eight age-similar controls. Rolandic relative beta power during matching tasks and resting state, and Beta Event Related (De)Synchronization (ERD/ERS) during button press responses were analyzed. Results: Regardless of lesion location, patients had significantly reduced relative beta power and ERS compared to controls. Abnormalities persisted over visits, and were present in both ipsi- and contra-lesional hemispheres, consistent with bilateral impairments in motor dexterity and speed. Conclusions: Minor stroke patients without severe weakness display reduced rolandic beta band activity in both hemispheres, which may be linked to bilaterally impaired dexterity and processing speed, implicating global connectivity dysfunction affecting sensorimotor cortex. Significance: Rolandic beta band activity may be a potential biomarker and treatment target, even for minor stroke patients with small lesions far from sensorimotor areas.

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Distinct neural mechanisms and temporal constraints govern a cascade of audiotactile interactions

10.1101/446112 ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Johanna M. Zumer ◽

Thomas P. White ◽

Uta Noppeney

Keyword(s):

Temporal Integration ◽

Common Source ◽

Theta Band ◽

Beta Band ◽

Band Power ◽

The Face ◽

Integrated Or ◽

Temporal Profiles ◽

Evoked Response Potentials ◽

The Brain

AbstractAsynchrony is a critical cue informing the brain whether sensory signals are caused by a common source and should be integrated or segregated. It is unclear how the brain binds audiotactile signals into behavioural benefits depending on their asynchrony. Participants actively responded (psychophysics) or passively attended (electroencephalogrpahy) to noise bursts, ‘taps-to-the-face’, and their audiotactile (AT) combinations at seven audiotactile asynchronies: 0, ±20, ±70, and ±500ms. Observers were faster at detecting AT than unisensory stimuli, maximally for synchronous stimulation and declining within a ≤70ms temporal integration window. We observed AT interactions for (1) near-synchronous stimuli within a ≤20ms temporal integration window for evoked response potentials (ERPs) at 110ms and ∼400ms, (2) specifically ±70ms asynchronies, across the P200 ERP and theta-band inter-trial coherence (ITC) and power at ∼200ms, with a frontocentral topography, and (3) beta-band power across several asynchronies. Our results suggest that early AT interactions for ERP and theta-band ITC and power mediate behavioural response facilitation within a ≤70ms temporal integration window, but beta-band power reflects AT interactions that are less relevant for behaviour. This diversity of temporal profiles and constraints demonstrates how audiotactile integration unfolds in a cascade of interactions to generate behavioural benefits.

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Frequency-based Dissociation of Symbolic and Nonsymbolic Numerical Processing during Numerical Comparison

Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience ◽

10.1162/jocn_a_01550 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 32 (5) ◽

pp. 762-782

Author(s):

Orly Rubinsten ◽

Nachshon Korem ◽

Naama Levin ◽

Tamar Furman

Keyword(s):

Numerical Calculation ◽

Numerical Comparison ◽

Linguistic Processing ◽

Eeg Signals ◽

Beta Band ◽

Brain Areas ◽

Numerical Processing ◽

Oscillatory Dynamics ◽

Band Power ◽

High Gamma

Recent evidence suggests that during numerical calculation, symbolic and nonsymbolic processing are functionally distinct operations. Nevertheless, both roughly recruit the same brain areas (spatially overlapping networks in the parietal cortex) and happen at the same time (roughly 250 msec poststimulus onset). We tested the hypothesis that symbolic and nonsymbolic processing are segregated by means of functionally relevant networks in different frequency ranges: high gamma (above 50 Hz) for symbolic processing and lower beta (12–17 Hz) for nonsymbolic processing. EEG signals were quantified as participants compared either symbolic numbers or nonsymbolic quantities. Larger EEG gamma-band power was observed for more difficult symbolic comparisons (ratio of 0.8 between the two numbers) than for easier comparisons (ratio of 0.2) over frontocentral regions. Similarly, beta-band power was larger for more difficult nonsymbolic comparisons than for easier ones over parietal areas. These results confirm the existence of a functional dissociation in EEG oscillatory dynamics during numerical processing that is compatible with the notion of distinct linguistic processing of symbolic numbers and approximation of nonsymbolic numerical information.

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Subthalamic beta-targeted neurofeedback speeds up movement initiation but increases tremor in Parkinsonian patients

eLife ◽

10.7554/elife.60979 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Shenghong He ◽

Abteen Mostofi ◽

Emilie Syed ◽

Flavie Torrecillos ◽

Gerd Tinkhauser ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reaction Times ◽

Gamma Activity ◽

Neurofeedback Training ◽

Theta Band ◽

Beta Band ◽

Movement Initiation ◽

Parkinsonian Tremor ◽

Frequency Interaction ◽

Motor Initiation ◽

Band Activity

Previous studies have explored neurofeedback training for Parkinsonian patients to suppress beta oscillations in the subthalamic nucleus (STN). However, its impacts on movements and Parkinsonian tremor are unclear. We developed a neurofeedback paradigm targeting STN beta bursts and investigated whether neurofeedback training could improve motor initiation in Parkinson’s disease compared to passive observation. Our task additionally allowed us to test which endogenous changes in oscillatory STN activities are associated with trial-to-trial motor performance. Neurofeedback training reduced beta synchrony and increased gamma activity within the STN, and reduced beta band coupling between the STN and motor cortex. These changes were accompanied by reduced reaction times in subsequently cued movements. However, in Parkinsonian patients with pre-existing symptoms of tremor, successful volitional beta suppression was associated with an amplification of tremor which correlated with theta band activity in STN local field potentials, suggesting an additional cross-frequency interaction between STN beta and theta activities.

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