Individual Resonant Frequencies at Low-Gamma Range and Cognitive Processing Speed.

Vykinta Parciauskaite,Inga Griskova-Bulanova,Vytautas Jurkuvenas,Mindaugas Potapovas,Aleksandras Voicikas,Evaldas Pipinis,Jovana Bjekic

doi:10.3390/jpm11060453

Vykinta Parciauskaite, Inga Griskova-Bulanova + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm11060453

Copy DOI

Abstract

Brain electrophysiological activity within the low gamma frequencies (30–80 Hz) has been proposed to reflect information encoding and transfer processes. The 40-Hz auditory steady-state response (40-Hz ASSR) is frequently discussed in relation to changed cognitive processing in neuropsychiatric disorders. However, the relationship between ASSRs and cognitive functioning still remains unclear. Most of the studies assessed the single frequency ASSR, while the individual resonance frequency in the gamma range (30–60 Hz), also called individual gamma frequency (IGF), has received limited attention thus far. Nevertheless, IGF potentially might better reflect individual network characteristics than standardly utilized 40-Hz ASSRs. Here, we focused on the processing speed across different types of cognitive tasks and explored its relationship with responses at 40 Hz and at IGFs in an attempt to uncover how IGFs relate to certain aspects of cognitive functioning. We show that gamma activity is related to the performance speed on complex cognitive task tapping planning and problem solving, both when responses at 40 Hz and at IGFs were evaluated. With the individualized approach, the observed associations were found to be somewhat stronger, and the association seemed to primarily reflect individual differences in higher-order cognitive processing. These findings have important implications for the interpretation of gamma activity in neuropsychiatric disorders.

Highlights

Brain electrophysiological activity within the low-gamma frequencies (30–80 Hz) has been proposed to reflect information encoding and transfer processes [1]
It has been proposed that the efficiency of neuronal information transfer in activated brain networks in the gamma range underlies the individual differences in cognitive performance [10]
One of the methods to explore the individual differences in neural synchronization in the gamma range is the auditory steady-state response (ASSR)

Summary

Introduction

Brain electrophysiological activity within the low-gamma frequencies (30–80 Hz) has been proposed to reflect information encoding and transfer processes [1]. The impaired cognitive/perceptual processes, as observed in neuropsychiatric disorders, are often reflected in disturbed electrophysiological responses within the 30–80 Hz range [8,9]. It has been proposed that the efficiency of neuronal information transfer in activated brain networks in the gamma range underlies the individual differences in cognitive performance [10]. One of the methods to explore the individual differences in neural synchronization in the gamma range is the auditory steady-state response (ASSR). The ASSR is an electrophysiological response of the brain that synchronizes to the frequency and phase of rapid, periodic auditory stimuli. The auditory stimulation evokes the greatest magnitude when stimuli are presented within the gamma range, especially around 40 Hz, and the evoked frequency is highly related to the frequency of stimulation [11,12]

Methods

Results

Conclusion