Electroencephalography theta/beta ratio covaries with mind wandering and functional connectivity in the executive control network

Van Son, Dana; de Rover, Mischa; De Blasio, Frances M.; van der Does, Willem; Barry, Robert J.; Putman, Peter · 2019 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14180

archive: archived pipeline: cataloged verified

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Summary

This study investigates the neural mechanisms underlying the frontal theta/beta ratio (TBR) in electroencephalography (EEG), a metric previously associated with executive control and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. While high TBR correlates with reduced cognitive control, the specific psychological processes driving this relationship during resting states remain unclear. The authors hypothesized that mind wandering (MW) episodes, which are linked to increased theta and decreased beta power, account for TBR fluctuations. Specifically, they tested whether MW-related changes in TBR covary with functional connectivity in the executive control network (ECN) and the default mode network (DMN). The researchers recruited 84 participants, selecting 26 who reported sufficient MW episodes for analysis. Participants performed a 40-minute breath-counting task while undergoing EEG recording, followed by a similar task during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Participants pressed a button upon realizing their mind had wandered, allowing the researchers to define epochs for MW (pre-button press) and focused attention (post-button press). EEG data were analyzed for spectral power in theta (4–7 Hz) and beta (13–30 Hz) bands, while fMRI data were processed to assess functional connectivity within the ECN and DMN. Results confirmed that frontal TBR was significantly higher during MW episodes compared to focused attention, driven by increased theta and decreased beta power. This MW-related increase in TBR was marginally correlated with baseline resting-state TBR. fMRI analysis revealed that DMN connectivity was significantly higher during MW, whereas ECN connectivity was significantly lower. Crucially, the study found a significant negative correlation between MW-related increases in frontal TBR and MW-related decreases in ECN connectivity. No significant association was found between TBR changes and DMN connectivity. Additionally, resting-state TBR was positively correlated with trait anxiety, though it did not significantly correlate with self-reported attentional control. These findings provide the first direct evidence linking the neural correlates of TBR to specific functional dynamics in large-scale brain networks. The results suggest that TBR reflects the brain’s state of top-down cognitive control, where high TBR corresponds to reduced ECN connectivity and increased DMN activity characteristic of mind wandering. This establishes TBR as a useful marker for studying executive control processes in both normal and potentially abnormal psychology, offering a clearer understanding of its neurological underpinnings beyond simple attentional deficits.

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• mind wandering