Frontal oscillatory dynamics predict feedback learning and action adjustment

Irene van de Vijver*, K Richard Ridderinkhof, Michael X Cohen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Frontal oscillatory dynamics in the theta (4-8 Hz) and beta (20-30 Hz) frequency bands have been implicated in cognitive control processes. Here we investigated the changes in coordinated activity within and between frontal brain areas during feedback-based response learning. In a time estimation task, participants learned to press a button after specific, randomly selected time intervals (300-2000 msec) using the feedback after each button press (correct, too fast, too slow). Consistent with previous findings, theta-band activity over medial frontal scalp sites (presumably reflecting medial frontal cortex activity) was stronger after negative feedback, whereas beta-band activity was stronger after positive feedback. Theta-band power predicted learning only after negative feedback, and beta-band power predicted learning after positive and negative feedback. Furthermore, negative feedback increased theta-band intersite phase synchrony (a millisecond resolution measure of functional connectivity) among right lateral prefrontal, medial frontal, and sensorimotor sites. These results demonstrate the importance of frontal theta- and beta-band oscillations and intersite communication in the realization of reinforcement learning.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4106-21
Number of pages16
JournalJournal of Cognitive Neuroscience
Volume23
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Biofeedback, Psychology/methods
  • Female
  • Frontal Lobe/physiology
  • Humans
  • Learning/physiology
  • Male
  • Neurofeedback/methods
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Psychomotor Performance/physiology
  • Reaction Time/physiology
  • Young Adult

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