Covert Intention to Answer to Self-Referential Questions Is Represented in Alpha-Band Local and Interregional Neural Synchronies.

Jeong Woo Choi,Kwang Su Cha,Kyung Hwan Kim

doi:10.1155/2019/7084186

Jeong Woo Choi, Kwang Su Cha + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/7084186

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Abstract

The most fundamental and simplest intention for interpersonal communication may be the intentions to answer “yes” or “no” to a question, based on a binary decision. However, the neural mechanism of this type of intention has not been investigated in detail. The main purpose of this study was to investigate cortical processing of the “yes/no” intentions to answer self-referential questions. Multichannel electroencephalograms (EEGs) were recorded while covertly answering self-referential questions with either “yes” or “no”. Event-related spectral perturbation (ERSP) and interregional phase synchrony (PS) were investigated to identify the differences in local and global neural synchronies between two intentions. We found that the local and interregional neural synchronies in the alpha-band were significantly different between “yes” and “no,” especially at the period of retaining the intention in mind, which was greater for “no” than for “yes.” These results can be interpreted to signify that a higher cognitive load during working memory retention or higher attentional demand is required for the “no” intention compared to “yes.” Our findings suggest that both local and global neural synchronies in the alpha-band may be significantly differentiated during a critical temporal epoch, according to the contents of the mental representation of the intention.

Highlights

Intention is the basis of actions and is critical in decision making and communication with others
In a recent eventrelated potential (ERP) study, we identified that the integration of semantic and autobiographical information processing precedes answering “yes” or “no” in response to Computational Intelligence and Neuroscience self-referential questions [6]. e posterior N400 was interpreted to reflect this integrated information processing
The local and global neural synchronies in the alpha-band were significantly different between “yes” and “no,” which were higher for “no” than for “yes.” ese substantial differences were identified after the semanticsrelated processing in response to self-referential questions, only when the covert response was induced. ese findings indicate that alpha-band neural synchronies at a critical temporal period may be significantly influenced by intentions in response to self-referential questions

Summary

Introduction

Intention is the basis of actions and is critical in decision making and communication with others. Recent neuroimaging studies have shown that a variety of regions in the human brain are associated with intention [1,2,3]. Lau et al [3] showed the activation of the presupplementary motor area during representation of motor intention for a self-paced finger movement. Haynes et al [2] showed that the medial and lateral prefrontal cortices encode a subject’s covert intention to choose one of two possible mental arithmetic tasks. A magnetoencephalogram study showed that Broca’s area and parietal region control the intention to speak [1]. Ese divergent findings suggest that intention entails a variety of themes, and only a specific type of intention should be investigated by a neuroimaging study. A simple and fundamental model of intention should be set up beforehand

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