Utilising alpha and theta oscillatory activity during task switching to characterise functional networks involved in cognitive control
Patrick
S.
Cooper1, 2,
Aaron
S.
Wong2, 3,
Elise
Mansfield1, 2,
W.
R.
Fulham1, 2,
Patricia
T.
Michie1, 2 and
Frini
Karayanidis1, 2*
-
1
University of Newcastle, School of Psychology, Australia
-
2
University of Newcastle, Australia
-
3
University of Newcastle, School of Engineering, Australia
Introduction
Oscillatory synchronisation is a prominent feature of the brain, providing an important mechanism for efficient neural communication and cognition. While higher order cognitive processes like working memory and selective attention have been closely linked to synchronisation patterns, there is only limited evidence of its role in cognitive control. In this study, we examine the role of oscillatory synchronisation in cognitive control using a cued-trials task-switching paradigm. We use multiple components of EEG signals to extract temporal properties of power and imaginary coherence to contrast functional connectivity differences between trials that differ in opportunity to maintain or update task-set. As our previous work has shown evidence for distinct switch-readiness and task-readiness components in cue-locked ERPs, we focussed analyses on the cue-to-target window.
Methods
Seventeen (7 male; mean age 26) community-dwelling volunteers took part in the current study as part of a larger project (www.age-ility.org.au). Participants performed a well-practiced cued task switching paradigm with concurrent EEG recording. EEG data were analysed offline in Matlab through a semi-automatic processing pipeline utilising Fieldtrip and EEGLab toolboxes. We performed a wavelet-based Fast-Fourier Transform on artefact-free current source density transformed trial data to investigate power differences between conditions. Functional networks were constructed from the imaginary component of coherence data and used to characterise network properties that differed between task switching conditions.
Results
Sustained alpha activity was observed for repeat conditions across fronto-central sites during the cue-to-target interval. At parietal sites, switch trials were associated with early theta activity and sustained alpha desynchronisation, in contrast to minimal theta and late alpha synchronisation for repeat.
Discussion
Using a cued task switching paradigm allowed us to dissociate preparatory processes from reactive control processes and show the relative importance of alpha and theta oscillatory synchronisation in the human EEG. We discuss the complexities of using such connectivity data to look at functional connectivity in complex cognitive paradigms.
Keywords:
task switching,
cognitive control,
functional connectivity,
coherence,
neural synchronisation
Conference:
ACNS-2013 Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society Conference, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia, 28 Nov - 1 Dec, 2013.
Presentation Type:
Poster
Topic:
Executive Processes
Citation:
Cooper
PS,
Wong
AS,
Mansfield
E,
Fulham
WR,
Michie
PT and
Karayanidis
F
(2013). Utilising alpha and theta oscillatory activity during task switching to characterise functional networks involved in cognitive control.
Conference Abstract:
ACNS-2013 Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society Conference.
doi: 10.3389/conf.fnhum.2013.212.00106
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Received:
24 Sep 2013;
Published Online:
25 Nov 2013.
*
Correspondence:
Dr. Frini Karayanidis, University of Newcastle, School of Psychology, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia, Frini.Karayanidis@newcastle.edu.au