scholarly journals The Relation between Alpha/Beta Oscillations and the Encoding of Sentence induced Contextual Information

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rene Terporten ◽  
Jan-Mathijs Schoffelen ◽  
Bohan Dai ◽  
Peter Hagoort ◽  
Anne Koesem
Keyword(s):  
Sentence Processing ◽  
Contextual Information ◽  
Neural Responses ◽  
Beta Oscillations ◽  
Neuronal Populations ◽  
Beta Power ◽  
Word Onset ◽  
Alpha Beta ◽  
Low Constraint ◽  
Input Prediction

Within the sensory domain, alpha/beta oscillations have been frequently linked to the prediction of upcoming sensory input. Here, we investigated whether oscillations at these frequency bands serve as a neural marker in the context of linguistic input prediction as well. Specifically, we hypothesized that if alpha/beta oscillations do index language prediction, their power should modulate during sentence processing, indicating stronger engagement of underlying neuronal populations involved in the linguistic prediction process. Importantly, the modulation should monotonically relate to the degrees of predictability of incoming words based on past context. Specifically, we expected that the more predictable the last word of a sentence, the stronger the alpha/beta power modulation. To test this, we measured neural responses with magnetoencephalography of healthy individuals (of either sex) during exposure to a set of linguistically matched sentences featuring three distinct levels of sentence context constraint (high, medium and low constraint). We observed fluctuations in alpha/beta power before last word onset, and also modulations in M400 amplitude after last word onset that are known to gradually relate to semantic predictability. In line with previous findings, the M400 amplitude was monotonically related to the degree of context constraint, with a high constraining context resulting in the strongest amplitude decrease. In contrast, alpha/beta power was non-monotonically related to context constraints. The strongest power decrease was observed for intermediate constraints, followed by high and low constraints. While the monotonous M400 amplitude modulation fits within a framework of prediction, the non-monotonous oscillatory results are not easily reconciled with this idea.

scholarly journals The Relation between Alpha/Beta Oscillations and the Encoding of Sentence induced Contextual Information

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
René Terporten ◽  
Jan-Mathijs Schoffelen ◽  
Bohan Dai ◽  
Peter Hagoort ◽  
Anne Kösem
Keyword(s):  
Contextual Information ◽  
Sentence Context ◽  
Neural Responses ◽  
Beta Oscillations ◽  
Beta Power ◽  
Word Onset ◽  
Neural Marker ◽  
Low Constraint ◽  
Word Predictability ◽  
Intermediate Constraints

AbstractPre-stimulus alpha (8–12 Hz) and beta (16–20 Hz) oscillations have been frequently linked to the prediction of upcoming sensory input. Do these frequency bands serve as a neural marker of linguistic prediction as well? We hypothesized that if pre-stimulus alpha and beta oscillations index language predictions, their power should monotonically relate to the degree of predictability of incoming words based on past context. We expected that the more predictable the last word of a sentence, the stronger the alpha and beta power modulation. To test this, we measured neural responses with magnetoencephalography of healthy individuals during exposure to a set of linguistically matched sentences featuring three levels of sentence context constraint (high, medium and low constraint). We observed fluctuations in alpha and beta power before last word onset, and modulations in M400 amplitude after last word onset. The M400 amplitude was monotonically related to the degree of context constraint, with a high constraining context resulting in the strongest amplitude decrease. In contrast, pre-stimulus alpha and beta power decreased more strongly for intermediate constraints, followed by high and low constraints. Therefore, unlike the M400, pre-stimulus alpha and beta dynamics were not indexing the degree of word predictability from sentence context.

scholarly journals The lexical nature of alpha-beta oscillations in context-driven word production

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vitória Piai ◽  
Jana Klaus
Keyword(s):  
Picture Naming ◽  
Context Effect ◽  
Word Production ◽  
Lexical Retrieval ◽  
Distractor Word ◽  
Beta Oscillations ◽  
Lexical Semantic ◽  
Distractor Processing ◽  
Beta Power ◽  
Alpha Beta

In context-driven word production, picture naming is faster following constrained than neutral sentential contexts (e.g., “The farmer milked the… [picture]” vs. “The child drew a… [picture]”, followed by the picture of a cow). In addition, power decreases in the alpha and beta oscillatory bands (8-25 Hz) are consistently found for constrained relative to neutral contexts prior to picture onset, when conceptual and lexical retrieval is ongoing. However, it remains a matter of debate whether the alpha-beta power decreases reflect (low-level) expectations of the visual input, conceptual and lexical retrieval, or motor preparation. The present study aimed at investigating the lexical-semantic nature of alpha-beta oscillations. Participants performed a context-driven picture naming task with constrained and neutral contexts. In addition, an auditory distractor word was presented before picture onset. Distractors were either semantically related (e.g., “goat”) or unrelated (e.g., “bean”) to the to-be-named picture. Picture naming was faster with constrained than neutral contexts. Distractor type did not affect overall naming latencies nor the behavioural context effect. In the oscillatory brain responses, the context-related alpha-beta power decreases were observed throughout the pre-picture interval when distractors were semantically unrelated to the picture. However, with semantically related distractors, the context effect was delayed until a period after distractor processing. Thus, alpha-beta power seems to be sensitive to the semantic relationship between the distractor word and the to-be-named picture. We interpret these results as suggesting that alpha-beta power decreases in context-driven word production reflect lexical-semantic retrieval mechanisms.

scholarly journals Alpha/beta power decreases during episodic memory formation predict the magnitude of alpha/beta power decreases during subsequent retrieval

2021 ◽  
Vol 153 ◽  
pp. 107755
Author(s):  
Benjamin J. Griffiths ◽  
María Carmen Martín-Buro ◽  
Bernhard P. Staresina ◽  
Simon Hanslmayr ◽  
Tobias Staudigl
Keyword(s):  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Memory Formation ◽  
Beta Power ◽  
Alpha Beta

scholarly journals Alpha/beta power decreases track the fidelity of stimulus-specific information

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin J. Griffiths ◽  
Stephen D. Mayhew ◽  
Karen J. Mullinger ◽  
João Jorge ◽  
Ian Charest ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Information Processing ◽  
Memory Retrieval ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Memory Task ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Neuronal Firing ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Beta Power ◽  
Alpha Beta ◽  
Task Irrelevant

AbstractMassed synchronised neuronal firing is detrimental to information processing. When networks of task-irrelevant neurons fire in unison, they mask the signal generated by task-critical neurons. On a macroscopic level, mass synchronisation of these neurons can contribute to the ubiquitous alpha/beta (8-30Hz) oscillations. Reductions in the amplitude of these oscillations, therefore, may reflect a boost in the processing of high-fidelity information within the cortex. Here, we test this hypothesis. Twenty-one participants completed an associative memory task while undergoing simultaneous EEG-fMRI recordings. Using representational similarity analysis, we quantified the amount of stimulus-specific information represented within the BOLD signal on every trial. When correlating this metric with concurrently-recorded alpha/beta power, we found a significant negative correlation which indicated that as alpha/beta power decreased, our metric of stimulus-specific information increased. This effect generalised across cognitive tasks, as the negative relationship could be observed during visual perception and episodic memory retrieval. Further analysis revealed that this effect could be better explained by alpha/beta power decreases providing favourable conditions for information processing, rather than directly representing stimulus-specific information. Together, these results indicate that alpha/beta power decreases parametrically track the fidelity of both externally-presented and internally-generated stimulus-specific information represented within the cortex.

scholarly journals Age-Related Decreases in the Retrieval Practice Effect Directly Relate to Changes in Alpha-Beta Oscillations

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (22) ◽  
pp. 4344-4352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine-Noémie Alexandrina Guran ◽  
Nora Alicia Herweg ◽  
Nico Bunzeck
Keyword(s):  
Retrieval Practice ◽  
Practice Effect ◽  
Beta Oscillations ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Alpha Beta

Spike Phase Shift Relative to Beta Oscillations Mediates Modality Selection

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (10) ◽  
pp. 5431-5448
Author(s):  
Yanfang Zuo ◽  
Yanwang Huang ◽  
Dingcheng Wu ◽  
Qingxiu Wang ◽  
Zuoren Wang
Keyword(s):  
Phase Shift ◽  
Posterior Parietal Cortex ◽  
Visual Stimuli ◽  
Spike Timing ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Beta Oscillations ◽  
Neuronal Spike ◽  
Beta Power ◽  
The Brain

Abstract How does the brain selectively process signals from stimuli of different modalities? Coherent oscillations may function in coordinating communication between neuronal populations simultaneously involved in such cognitive behavior. Beta power (12–30 Hz) is implicated in top-down cognitive processes. Here we test the hypothesis that the brain increases encoding and behavioral influence of a target modality by shifting the relationship of neuronal spike phases relative to beta oscillations between primary sensory cortices and higher cortices. We simultaneously recorded neuronal spike and local field potentials in the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) and the primary auditory cortex (A1) when male rats made choices to either auditory or visual stimuli. Neuronal spikes exhibited modality-related phase locking to beta oscillations during stimulus sampling, and the phase shift between neuronal subpopulations demonstrated faster top-down signaling from PPC to A1 neurons when animals attended to auditory rather than visual stimuli. Importantly, complementary to spike timing, spike phase predicted rats’ attended-to target in single trials, which was related to the animals’ performance. Our findings support a candidate mechanism that cortices encode targets from different modalities by shifting neuronal spike phase. This work may extend our understanding of the importance of spike phase as a coding and readout mechanism.

scholarly journals Neural activity during sentence processing as reflected in theta, alpha, beta, and gamma oscillations

NeuroImage ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 142 ◽  
pp. 43-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nietzsche H.L. Lam ◽  
Jan-Mathijs Schoffelen ◽  
Julia Uddén ◽  
Annika Hultén ◽  
Peter Hagoort
Keyword(s):  
Sentence Processing ◽  
Neural Activity ◽  
Gamma Oscillations ◽  
Alpha Beta

Emotion and Brain Oscillations: High Arousal is Associated with Decreases in Alpha- and Lower Beta-Band Power

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Schubring ◽  
Harald T Schupp
Keyword(s):  
Stimulus Onset ◽  
Emotional Stimulus ◽  
Brain Oscillations ◽  
Beta Band ◽  
Viewing Condition ◽  
Stimulus Processing ◽  
Beta Power ◽  
Picture Presentation ◽  
Alpha Beta ◽  
Task Conditions

Abstract The study of brain oscillations associated with emotional picture processing has revealed conflicting findings. Although many studies observed a decrease in power in the alpha- and lower beta band, some studies observed an increase. Accordingly, the main aim of the present research series was to further elucidate whether emotional stimulus processing is related to an increase or decrease in alpha/beta power. In Study 1, participants (N = 16) viewed briefly presented (150 ms) high-arousing erotic and low-arousing people pictures. Picture presentation included a passive viewing condition and an active picture categorization task. Study 2 (N = 16) replicated Study 1 with negative valence stimuli (mutilations). In Study 3 (N = 18), stimulus materials of Study 1 and 2 were used. The main finding is that high-arousing pictures (erotica and mutilations) are associated with a decrease of power in the alpha/beta band across studies and task conditions. The effect peaked in occipitoparietal sensors between 400 and 800 ms after stimulus onset. Furthermore, a late (>1000 ms) alpha/beta power increase to mutilation pictures was observed, possibly reflecting top–down inhibitory control processes. Overall, these findings suggest that brain oscillations in the alpha/beta-band may serve as a useful measure of emotional stimulus processing.

scholarly journals The relationship between negative BOLD responses and ERS and ERD of alpha/beta oscillations in visual and motor cortex

NeuroImage ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 199 ◽  
pp. 635-650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ross Wilson ◽  
Karen J. Mullinger ◽  
Susan T. Francis ◽  
Stephen D. Mayhew
Keyword(s):  
Motor Cortex ◽  
Beta Oscillations ◽  
Bold Responses ◽  
Alpha Beta ◽  
Negative Bold ◽  
The Relationship

scholarly journals Earlier and More Robust Sensorimotor Discrimination of ASL Signs in Deaf Signers During Imitation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorna C. Quandt ◽  
A. S. Willis
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Understanding ◽  
Motor Preparation ◽  
Sensorimotor System ◽  
Time Frequency ◽  
Beta Power ◽  
Sensorimotor Systems ◽  
Alpha Beta ◽  
The One ◽  
Sign Conditions ◽  
Deaf Signers

AbstractBackground: Prior research suggests that the amount of experience an individual has with an action influences the degree to which the sensorimotor systems of their brain are involved in the subsequent perception of those actions. Less is known about how action experience and conceptual understanding impact sensorimotor involvement during imitation. We sought to explore this question by comparing a group of sign language users to a group of non-signers. We pitted the following two hypotheses against each other: 1) Deaf signers will show increased sensorimotor activity during sign imitation, and greater differentiation between sign types, due to greater prior experience and conceptual understanding of the signs; versus 2): Deaf signers will show less sensorimotor system activity and less differentiation of sign types in the sensorimotor system, because for those individuals sign imitation involves language systems of the brain more robustly than sensorimotor systems. We collected electroencephalograms (EEG) while the two groups imitated videos showing one-handed and two-handed ASL signs. Time-frequency data analysis was performed on alpha- and beta-range oscillations while they watched signs with the intent to imitate, and imitated the signs. During observation, deaf signers showed early differentiation in alpha/beta power between the one- and two-handed sign conditions, whereas hearing non-signers did not discriminate between the sign categories this way. Significant differences between groups were seen during sign imitation, wherein deaf signers showed desynchronization of alpha/beta EEG signals, and hearing non-signers showed increased power. The study suggests that in an imitative context, deaf signers engage anticipatory motor preparation in advance of action production, while hearing non-signers engage slower, more memory-related processes to help them complete with the complex task.

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