The attenuation of very low frequency brain oscillations in transitions from a rest state to active attention
The attenuation of very low frequency brain oscillations in transitions from a rest state to active attention
Background: The default mode interference hypothesis (Sonuga-Barke & Castellanos, 2007) predicts (1) the attenuation of very low frequency oscillations (VLFO; e.g., .05 Hz) in brain activity within the default mode network during the transition from rest to task, and (2) that failures to attenuate in this way will lead to an increased likelihood of periodic attention lapses that are synchronized to the VLFO pattern. Here, we tested these predictions using DC-EEG recordings within and outside of a previously identified network of electrode locations hypothesized to reflect DMN activity (i.e., S3 network; Helps et al., 2008). Method: 24 young adults (mean age 22.3 years; 8 male), sampled to include a wide range of ADHD symptoms, took part in a study of rest to task transitions. Two conditions were compared: 5 min of rest (eyes open) and a 10-min simple 2-choice RT task with a relatively high sampling rate (ISI 1 s). DC-EEG was recorded during both conditions, and the low-frequency spectrum was decomposed and measures of the power within specific bands extracted. Results: Shift from rest to task led to an attenuation of VLFO activity within the S3 network which was inversely associated with ADHD symptoms. RT during task also showed a VLFO signature. During task there was a small but significant degree of synchronization between EEG and RT in the VLFO band. Attenuators showed a lower degree of synchrony than nonattenuators. Discussion: The results provide some initial EEG-based support for the default mode interference hypothesis and suggest that failure to attenuate VLFO in the S3 network is associated with higher synchrony between low-frequency brain activity and RT fluctuations during a simple RT task. Although significant, the effects were small and future research should employ tasks with a higher sampling rate to increase the possibility of extracting robust and stable signals.
low-frequency oscillations, direct current eeg, rest task attenuation, default mode, spontaneous neuronal activity
191-198
Helps, Suzannah K.
a80e9c33-f85b-4ecf-b956-9312a6f61fae
Broyd, Samantha J.
3ff5fb0f-f452-4e84-a260-8e5853f701a3
James, C.J.
b3733b1f-a6a1-4c9b-b75c-6191d4142e52
Karl, Anke
7f091050-641c-4658-a247-785cfd194c3d
Sonuga-Barke, Edmund J.S.
bc80bf95-6cf9-4c76-a09d-eaaf0b717635
2009
Helps, Suzannah K.
a80e9c33-f85b-4ecf-b956-9312a6f61fae
Broyd, Samantha J.
3ff5fb0f-f452-4e84-a260-8e5853f701a3
James, C.J.
b3733b1f-a6a1-4c9b-b75c-6191d4142e52
Karl, Anke
7f091050-641c-4658-a247-785cfd194c3d
Sonuga-Barke, Edmund J.S.
bc80bf95-6cf9-4c76-a09d-eaaf0b717635
Helps, Suzannah K., Broyd, Samantha J., James, C.J., Karl, Anke and Sonuga-Barke, Edmund J.S.
(2009)
The attenuation of very low frequency brain oscillations in transitions from a rest state to active attention.
Journal of Psychophysiology, 23 (4), .
(doi:10.1027/0269-8803.23.4.191).
Abstract
Background: The default mode interference hypothesis (Sonuga-Barke & Castellanos, 2007) predicts (1) the attenuation of very low frequency oscillations (VLFO; e.g., .05 Hz) in brain activity within the default mode network during the transition from rest to task, and (2) that failures to attenuate in this way will lead to an increased likelihood of periodic attention lapses that are synchronized to the VLFO pattern. Here, we tested these predictions using DC-EEG recordings within and outside of a previously identified network of electrode locations hypothesized to reflect DMN activity (i.e., S3 network; Helps et al., 2008). Method: 24 young adults (mean age 22.3 years; 8 male), sampled to include a wide range of ADHD symptoms, took part in a study of rest to task transitions. Two conditions were compared: 5 min of rest (eyes open) and a 10-min simple 2-choice RT task with a relatively high sampling rate (ISI 1 s). DC-EEG was recorded during both conditions, and the low-frequency spectrum was decomposed and measures of the power within specific bands extracted. Results: Shift from rest to task led to an attenuation of VLFO activity within the S3 network which was inversely associated with ADHD symptoms. RT during task also showed a VLFO signature. During task there was a small but significant degree of synchronization between EEG and RT in the VLFO band. Attenuators showed a lower degree of synchrony than nonattenuators. Discussion: The results provide some initial EEG-based support for the default mode interference hypothesis and suggest that failure to attenuate VLFO in the S3 network is associated with higher synchrony between low-frequency brain activity and RT fluctuations during a simple RT task. Although significant, the effects were small and future research should employ tasks with a higher sampling rate to increase the possibility of extracting robust and stable signals.
This record has no associated files available for download.
More information
Published date: 2009
Keywords:
low-frequency oscillations, direct current eeg, rest task attenuation, default mode, spontaneous neuronal activity
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 141686
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/141686
ISSN: 0269-8803
PURE UUID: 7ac2c22c-4f94-48a5-a0ba-4ad4871c2c6c
Catalogue record
Date deposited: 30 Mar 2010 10:25
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 00:38
Export record
Altmetrics
Contributors
Author:
Suzannah K. Helps
Author:
Samantha J. Broyd
Author:
C.J. James
Author:
Anke Karl
Author:
Edmund J.S. Sonuga-Barke
Download statistics
Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.
View more statistics