title: Specific EEG frequencies signal general common cognitive processes as well as specific task processes in man.
abstract: The EEG of 10 normal male young adults was recorded during the performance of three different tasks: mental calculation, verbal working memory (VWM) and spatial working memory (SWM). The stimuli used in the three tasks were the same, only the instructions to the subjects were different. Narrow band analysis of the EEG and distributed sources for each EEG frequency were calculated using variable resolution electromagnetic tomography (VARETA). At some frequencies (1.56, 4.68, 7.80 to 10.92 Hz) at least two tasks produced similar EEG patterns that were interpreted as the reflex of common cognitive processes, such as attention, inhibition of irrelevant stimuli, etc. Specific changes were also observed at 2.34, 3.12, 3.90, 5.46 and 6.24 Hz. The first three of these frequencies showed similar changes during VWM and calculus at the left frontal cortex, suggesting the activation of working memory (WM) processes. The interaction effect at these frequencies was mainly observed at the anterior cingulate cortex and frontal cortex. At 5.46 and 6.24 Hz, changes were only observed during mental calculation.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Neurobiología, Campus UNAM-UAQ Juriquilla, Apartado Postal 1-11141 Querétaro, Qro, 76230, Mexico. thaliah@servidor.unam.mx
authors.forename: Thalía
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Harmony
authors.forename: Thalía
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gersenowies
authors.forename: Lídice
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Galán
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fernández-Bouzas
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aubert
authors.forename: Lourdes
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Díaz-Comas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004594:Electrophysiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology; D008606:Mental Processes / Q000502:physiology; D014706:Verbal Learning