Prefrontal theta modulates sensorimotor gamma networks during the reorienting of attention

Rachel K. Spooner, Alex I. Wiesman, Amy L. Proskovec, Elizabeth Heinrichs-Graham, Tony W. Wilson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Scopus citations

Abstract

The ability to execute a motor plan involves spatiotemporally precise oscillatory activity in primary motor (M1) regions, in concert with recruitment of “higher order” attentional mechanisms for orienting toward current task goals. While current evidence implicates gamma oscillatory activity in M1 as central to the execution of a movement, far less is known about top-down attentional modulation of this response. Herein, we utilized magnetoencephalography (MEG) during a Posner attention-reorienting task to investigate top-down modulation of M1 gamma responses by frontal attention networks in 63 healthy adult participants. MEG data were evaluated in the time–frequency domain and significant oscillatory responses were imaged using a beamformer. Robust increases in theta activity were found in bilateral inferior frontal gyri (IFG), with significantly stronger responses evident in trials that required attentional reorienting relative to those that did not. Additionally, strong gamma oscillations (60–80 Hz) were detected in M1 during movement execution, with similar responses elicited irrespective of attentional reorienting. Whole-brain voxel-wise correlations between validity difference scores (i.e., attention reorienting trials—nonreorienting trials) in frontal theta activity and movement-locked gamma oscillations revealed a robust relationship in the contralateral sensorimotor cortex, supplementary motor area, and right cerebellum, suggesting modulation of these sensorimotor network gamma responses by attentional reorienting. Importantly, the validity difference effect in this distributed motor network was predictive of overall motor function measured outside the scanner and further, based on a mediation analysis this relationship was fully mediated by the reallocation response in the right IFG. These data are the first to characterize the top-down modulation of movement-related gamma responses during attentional reorienting and movement execution.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)520-529
Number of pages10
JournalHuman Brain Mapping
Volume41
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Posner cueing task
  • magnetoencephalography
  • oscillations
  • top-down

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Anatomy
  • Radiological and Ultrasound Technology
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Prefrontal theta modulates sensorimotor gamma networks during the reorienting of attention'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this