Resting-state theta activity is linked to information content-specific coding levels during response inhibition

Pscherer, Charlotte; Mückschel, Moritz; Bluschke, Annet; Beste, Christian · 2022 · Crossref

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08510-8

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Summary

This study investigates the relationship between resting-state theta activity and the neurophysiological processes underlying response inhibition. While the role of theta oscillations during active inhibitory control is well-established, the relevance of endogenous, resting-state theta activity for these processes remains largely unknown. The authors hypothesized that resting-state theta activity is specifically linked to sensory and motor coding levels during response inhibition, particularly reflecting the "surprise signal" or alarm mechanism that triggers cognitive control. To test this, the researchers assessed 79 healthy participants aged 20–30 years. Resting-state theta activity was measured for two minutes with eyes open using a single electrode at Cz, with artifacts removed online. Participants then performed a Go/Nogo task while EEG data was recorded from 60 electrodes. The EEG signals were decomposed using Residue Iteration Decomposition (RIDE) to separate static-latency sensory processes (S-cluster) from variable-latency response selection processes (C-cluster). The study analyzed correlations between individual resting theta power and task-related event-related potentials (ERPs) and theta power during correctly rejected Nogo trials. Source localization was performed using sLORETA, and time-frequency analysis was conducted to assess total theta power. The results demonstrated that resting-state theta activity did not correlate with behavioral performance metrics, including hit rates, reaction times, or false alarm rates. However, significant correlations were found between resting theta activity and specific neurophysiological components. In the S-cluster, higher resting theta activity was significantly correlated with more negative EEG amplitudes at electrode FCz during the N2 time window (301–324 ms post-stimulus), indicating a stronger sensory-related response. Additionally, resting theta activity correlated with task-related theta power in the S-cluster, particularly at the peak of inhibition-related activity. In contrast, no significant associations were found between resting theta activity and the C-cluster (response selection) or behavioral inhibition performance. Source localization identified activation in the superior parietal cortex (BA7) for the S-cluster during Nogo trials. These findings suggest that resting-state theta activity is not a general predictor of inhibitory control performance but is specifically linked to the sensory processing aspects of response inhibition. The correlation between resting dynamics and the stimulus-related fraction of neurophysiological activity implies that task-related theta power, which serves as an alarm signal for cognitive control, builds upon endogenous resting theta activity. This indicates that specific aspects of resting-state neural dynamics are evident in the proportion of inhibition-related activity that processes and indicates the need for cognitive control, highlighting a distinct role for resting theta in sensory coding during inhibition.

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• executive function