title: Preparatory distributed cortical synchronization determines execution of some, but not all, future intentions.
abstract: Associating intentions to events that cue future behaviors is a central aspect of human cognition. There is limited understanding of the neural dynamics supporting recognition of intention-related events, with little known about how pre-event brain state varies as a function of intention specificity. Prior to recognized events (that cued planned behavior) occurring during an unrelated activity, we found increased steady-state visual evoked potential (ssVEP) and intrinsic gamma synchronization for ill- compared to well-specified events, as measured by EEG. Enhanced fronto-temporo-parietal ssVEP synchrony emerged preceding ill compared to well-specified events, and the degree of synchrony predicted the completion of ill-specified intentions but predicted failure to complete well-specified intentions. Distinct executive processing and neural states are therefore optimal for anticipating and fulfilling future intentions varying in event specificity.
authors: BioImaging Research Center & Department of Psychology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602-3013, USA.
authors: Justin B
authors: JB
authors: Knight
authors: Richard L
authors: RL
authors: Marsh
authors: Gene A
authors: GA
authors: Brewer
authors: Brett A
authors: BA
authors: Clementz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D003344:Cortical Synchronization / Q000502:physiology*; D003463:Cues; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D061212:Memory, Episodic; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult