Anticipatory control of long-range phase synchronization

Eur J Neurosci. 2006 Oct;24(7):2057-60. doi: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2006.05082.x.

Abstract

Everyday human behaviour relies on our ability to predict outcomes on the basis of moment by moment information. Long-range neural phase synchronization has been hypothesized as a mechanism by which 'predictions' can exert an effect on the processing of incoming sensory events. Using magnetoencephalography (MEG) we have studied the relationship between the modulation of phase synchronization in a cerebral network of areas involved in visual target processing and the predictability of target occurrence. Our results reveal a striking increase in the modulation of phase synchronization associated with an increased probability of target occurrence. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that long-range phase synchronization plays a critical functional role in humans' ability to effectively employ predictive heuristics.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Attention / physiology*
  • Brain Mapping
  • Cerebral Cortex / physiology*
  • Cortical Synchronization*
  • Functional Laterality / physiology
  • Humans
  • Magnetoencephalography / methods
  • Orientation / physiology
  • Pattern Recognition, Visual / physiology*
  • Photic Stimulation / methods