Synchronous cortical gamma-band activity in task-relevant cognition

Neuroreport. 2000 Mar 20;11(4):669-75. doi: 10.1097/00001756-200003200-00004.

Abstract

Widespread synchronous oscillatory activity, particularly in the gamma ('40 Hz') band, has been postulated to exist in the brain as a mechanism underlying binding. A new method of examining phase synchronicity across multiple electrode sites in specific EEG frequency bands as a function of time was employed, in a conventional cognitive ERP paradigm in 40 normal subjects. A significant late post-stimulus gamma synchronicity response occurred for task-relevant stimuli, whereas for task-irrelevant stimuli no such response was evident. However, an early response was seen for both task-relevant and irrelevant stimuli. This is the first empirical demonstration that widespread synchronous high frequency oscillations occur in humans in relation to cognition.

MeSH terms

  • Acoustic Stimulation
  • Adult
  • Cerebral Cortex / physiology*
  • Cognition / physiology*
  • Electroencephalography
  • Evoked Potentials, Auditory / physiology
  • Female
  • Functional Laterality
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology*
  • Time Factors