Autocorrelation analyses of magnetoencephalographic alpha waves in relation to subjective preference for a flickering...

Human cortical responses corresponding to the subjective preference for a flickering light of varying period were investigated. Paired-comparison tests were performed to examine the subjective preference for a flickering light, and MEG was recorded during presentations of the most preferred and less preferred flickering lights alternately. Results showed that the effective duration of the autocorrelation function, tau(e), which represents a repetitive feature of the MEG alpha waves, becomes longer during the preferred condition. This reveals that the brain repeats a similar rhythm under preferred conditions.