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Very Slow EEG Fluctuations Predict the Dynamics of Stimulus Detection and Oscillation Amplitudes in Humans

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Check out this Knowledge Base article from StressTherapy Solutions: Very Slow EEG Fluctuations Predict the Dynamics of Stimulus Detection and Oscillation Amplitudes in Humans.

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Study at a glance

Area
QEEG, Methods & Mechanisms
Study type
Observational study
Authors
Monto S, Palva S, Voipio J, Palva JM
Journal
The Journal of Neuroscience
Year
2008
Protocol
full-band EEG during a somatosensory detection task

Key findings

  • Prominent 0.01-0.1 Hz fluctuations appeared in full-band EEG during the detection task
  • Stimulus detection correlated strongly with the phase, but not the amplitude, of infraslow EEG fluctuations
  • Amplitudes of 1-40 Hz oscillations in six frequency bands were robustly correlated with infraslow phase
  • Infraslow fluctuations are proposed to reflect the excitability dynamics of cortical networks

DOI 10.1523/jneurosci.1910-08.2008 → PubMed 18701689 →

Using full-band EEG, researchers examined very slow (infraslow, 0.01 to 0.1 Hz) fluctuations in brain activity while people performed a somatosensory detection task, to explain why the ability to detect weak stimuli rises and falls in streaks over time. Detection performance showed similar slow fluctuations and tracked the phase, not the amplitude, of the infraslow EEG. The amplitude of faster oscillations was also tied to that phase. The authors conclude infraslow fluctuations reflect cortical excitability and are functionally significant during cognitive tasks.