Temporal expectation based on the duration variability modulates alpha oscillations during working memory retention

Modality-Attention Promotes the Neural Effects of Precise Timing Prediction in Early Sensory Processing

Precise timing prediction (TP) enables the brain to accurately predict the occurrence of upcoming events in millisecond timescale, which is fundamental for adaptive behaviors. The neural effect of the TP within a single sensory modality has been widely studied. However, less is known about how precise TP works when the brain is concurrently faced with multimodality sensory inputs. Modality attention (MA) is a crucial cognitive function for dealing with the overwhelming information induced by multimodality sensory inputs. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate whether and how the MA influences the neural effects of the precise TP. This study designed a visual–auditory temporal discrimination task, in which the MA was allocated to visual or auditory modality, and the TP was manipulated into no timing prediction (NTP), matched timing prediction (MTP), and violated timing prediction (VTP) conditions. Behavioral and electroencephalogram (EEG) data were recorded from 27 subjects, event-related potentials (ERP), time–frequency distributions of inter-trial coherence (ITC), and event-related spectral perturbation (ERSP) were analyzed. In the visual modality, precise TP led to N1 amplitude variations and 200–400 ms theta ITC. Such variations only emerged when the MA was attended. In auditory modality, the MTP had the largest P2 amplitude and delta ITC than other TP conditions when the MA was attended, whereas the distinctions disappeared when the MA was unattended. The results suggest that the MA promoted the neural effects of the precise TP in early sensory processing, which provides more neural evidence for better understanding the interactions between the TP and MA.

Temporal profiles of cortical oscillations in novice performers for goal-directed aiming in a shooting task

Goal-directed aiming relies on the ability to control attention and visuomotor movements while preparing for motor execution. Research in precision sports has investigated cortical oscillations for supporting expert performance. However, the results may be influenced by adaptive and strategic behaviors after intensive training. Whether and at what time points distinctive oscillations support goal-directed aiming without such training remains elusive. In this electroencephalographic (EEG) study, we investigated how the theta, alpha and beta oscillations change to support accurate aiming before novices took an action. We first conducted a model-based analysis to examine the correlation of cortical oscillations with accurate shooting on a trial-by-trial basis in a within-individual manner. The results showed that alpha and beta oscillations at different time points during the aiming period were better predictors of aiming accuracy. We then compared the oscillatory power for good versus poor performance. The results showed decreases in the alpha and beta power across distributed cortical areas and an increase in the frontal theta power successively before shot release. Moreover, greater intertrial phase coherence was observed for good performance than for poor performance in posterior alpha activity and anterior beta activity during the aiming period. In conclusion, these results advance our understanding of the temporal dynamics of theta, alpha and beta oscillations in orchestrating goal setting, motor preparation and focused attention to monitoring both external and internal states for accurate aiming. Among the three, alpha and beta oscillations are critical for predicting aiming performance and theta oscillations reflect effortful cognitive control.