Phase-amplitude coupling in human electrocorticography is spatially distributed and phase diverse.
Spatially distributed phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) is a possible mechanism for selectively routing information through neuronal networks. If so, two key properties determine its selectivity and flexibility, phase diversity over space, and frequency diversity. To investigate these issues, we analyzed 42 human electrocorticographic recordings from 27 patients performing a working memory task. We demonstrate that (1) spatially distributed PAC occurred at distances >10 cm, (2) involved diverse preferred coupling phases, and (3) involved diverse frequencies. Using a novel technique [N-way decomposition based on the PARAFAC (for Parallel Factor analysis) model], we demonstrate that (4) these diverse phases originated mainly from the phase-providing oscillations. With these properties, PAC can be the backbone of a mechanism that is able to separate spatially distributed networks operating in parallel.
Radboud University Nijmegen, Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, 6525 HR, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Roemer
R
van der Meij
Michael
M
Kahana
Eric
E
Maris
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods*; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D010363:Pattern Recognition, Automated; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted