Journal article
Distinct Oscillatory Dynamics Underlie Different Components of Hierarchical Cognitive Control
The Journal of neuroscience, Vol.40(25), pp.4945-4953
06/17/2020
DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0617-20.2020
PMCID: PMC7326361
PMID: 32430297
Abstract
Hierarchical cognitive control enables us to execute actions guided by abstract goals. Previous research has suggested that neuronal oscillations at different frequency bands are associated with top-down cognitive control; however, whether distinct neural oscillations have similar or different functions for cognitive control is not well understood. The aim of the current study was to investigate the oscillatory neuronal mechanisms underlying two distinct components of hierarchical cognitive control: the level of abstraction of a rule, and the number of rules that must be maintained (set-size). We collected EEG data in 31 men and women who performed a hierarchical cognitive control task that varied in levels of abstraction and set-size. Results from time-frequency analysis in frontal electrodes showed an increase in theta amplitude for increased set-size, whereas an increase in δ was associated with increased abstraction. Both theta and δ amplitude correlated with behavioral performance in the tasks but in an opposite manner: theta correlated with response time slowing when the number of rules increased, whereas δ correlated with response time when rules became more abstract. Phase-amplitude coupling analysis revealed that δ phase-coupled with β amplitude during conditions with a higher level of abstraction, whereby beta band may potentially represent motor output that was guided by the δ phase. These results suggest that distinct neural oscillatory mechanisms underlie different components of hierarchical cognitive control.
Cognitive control allows us to perform immediate actions while maintaining more abstract, overarching goals in mind and to choose between competing actions. We found distinct oscillatory signatures that correspond to two different components of hierarchical control: the level of abstraction of a rule and the number of rules in competition. An increase in the level of abstraction was associated with δ oscillations, whereas theta oscillations were observed when the number of rules increased. Oscillatory amplitude correlated with behavioral performance in the task. Finally, the expression of β amplitude was coordinated via the phase of δ oscillations, and theta phase-coupled with γ amplitude. These results suggest that distinct neural oscillatory mechanisms underlie different components of hierarchical cognitive control.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Distinct Oscillatory Dynamics Underlie Different Components of Hierarchical Cognitive Control
- Creators
- Justin Riddle - Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514David A Vogelsang - Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720-3370Kai Hwang - Department of Psychology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52245Dillan Cellier - Department of Cognitive Science, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720-2306Mark D'Esposito - Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720-3370
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The Journal of neuroscience, Vol.40(25), pp.4945-4953
- DOI
- 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0617-20.2020
- PMID
- 32430297
- PMCID
- PMC7326361
- NLM abbreviation
- J Neurosci
- ISSN
- 0270-6474
- eISSN
- 1529-2401
- Publisher
- United States
- Grant note
- R01 MH111737 / NIMH NIH HHS T32 MH093315 / NIMH NIH HHS R01 MH063901 / NIMH NIH HHS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 06/17/2020
- Academic Unit
- Psychiatry; Psychological and Brain Sciences; Iowa Neuroscience Institute
- Record Identifier
- 9984070769802771
Metrics
30 Record Views