title: Theta modulation of inter-regional gamma synchronization during auditory attention control.
abstract: Synchronization of gamma oscillations among brain regions is relevant for dynamically organizing communication among neurons to support cognitive and perceptual processing, including attention orienting. Recent research has demonstrated that inter-regional synchronization in the gamma-band is modulated by theta rhythms during cortical processing. It has been proposed that such cross-frequency dynamics underlie the integration of local processes into large-scale functional networks. To investigate the potential role of theta-gamma mechanisms during auditory attention control, we localized activated regions using EEG beamformer analysis, and calculated inter-regional gamma-band synchronization between activated regions as well as modulation of inter-regional gamma-band synchronization by the phase of cortical theta rhythms. Abundant synchronization of gamma-band oscillations among regions comprising the auditory attention control network was observed. This inter-regional gamma synchronization was modulated by theta phase. These results provide further evidence implicating inter-regional gamma-band synchronization, and theta-gamma interactions, in task-dependent communication among cortical regions, and provide the first evidence that such mechanisms are relevant for auditory attention control.
authors: Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada. sam.doesburg@sickkids.ca
authors: Sam M
authors: SM
authors: Doesburg
authors: Jessica J
authors: JJ
authors: Green
authors: John J
authors: JJ
authors: McDonald
authors: Lawrence M
authors: LM
authors: Ward
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000293:Adolescent; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D001303:Auditory Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D058256:Brain Waves / Q000502:physiology*; D003344:Cortical Synchronization / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009949:Orientation / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult