title: Modalities of Thinking: State and Trait Effects on Cross-Frequency Functional Independent Brain Networks.
abstract: Functional states of the brain are constituted by the temporally attuned activity of spatially distributed neural networks. Such networks can be identified by independent component analysis (ICA) applied to frequency-dependent source-localized EEG data. This methodology allows the identification of networks at high temporal resolution in frequency bands of established location-specific physiological functions. EEG measurements are sensitive to neural activity changes in cortical areas of modality-specific processing. We tested effects of modality-specific processing on functional brain networks. Phasic modality-specific processing was induced via tasks (state effects) and tonic processing was assessed via modality-specific person parameters (trait effects). Modality-specific person parameters and 64-channel EEG were obtained from 70 male, right-handed students. Person parameters were obtained using cognitive style questionnaires, cognitive tests, and thinking modality self-reports. EEG was recorded during four conditions: spatial visualization, object visualization, verbalization, and resting. Twelve cross-frequency networks were extracted from source-localized EEG across six frequency bands using ICA. RMANOVAs, Pearson correlations, and path modelling examined effects of tasks and person parameters on networks. Results identified distinct state- and trait-dependent functional networks. State-dependent networks were characterized by decreased, trait-dependent networks by increased alpha activity in sub-regions of modality-specific pathways. Pathways of competing modalities showed opposing alpha changes. State- and trait-dependent alpha were associated with inhibitory and automated processing, respectively. Antagonistic alpha modulations in areas of competing modalities likely prevent intruding effects of modality-irrelevant processing. Considerable research suggested alpha modulations related to modality-specific states and traits. This study identified the distinct electrophysiological cortical frequency-dependent networks within which they operate.
authors.affiliation: The KEY Institute for Brain-Mind Research, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Psychiatry, P.O. Box 1931, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland. patricia.milz@key.uzh.ch.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Milz
authors.affiliation: The KEY Institute for Brain-Mind Research, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Psychiatry, P.O. Box 1931, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland.|Department of Neuropsychiatry, Kansai Medical University Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Roberto D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Pascual-Marqui
authors.affiliation: The KEY Institute for Brain-Mind Research, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Psychiatry, P.O. Box 1931, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Dietrich
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lehmann
authors.affiliation: The KEY Institute for Brain-Mind Research, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Psychiatry, P.O. Box 1931, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Pascal L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Faber
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping / Q000379:methods; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D055724:Electrophysiological Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D012146:Rest / Q000502:physiology; D013850:Thinking / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Cognitive style; EEG; Functional independent component analysis; Verbal; Visual; eLORETA