Exploration of Brain Connectivity during Human Inhibitory Control Using Inter-Trial Coherence

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Brain Connectivity Research

Background:

• Inhibitory control is a fundamental cognitive process essential for daily activities, akin to a traffic light regulating responses.
• Understanding the neural underpinnings of inhibitory control is vital for cognitive neuroscience.
• Existing methods for assessing brain function offer varying degrees of accuracy in representing neural networks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate brain connectivity patterns during human inhibitory control.
• To utilize the phase lag index and inter-trial coherence (ITC) for a more accurate representation of functional neural networks.
• To identify specific neural markers and brain regions associated with response inhibition.

Main Methods:

• Electroencephalography (EEG) data were collected from twelve healthy subjects.
• An auditory stop-signal task was employed to elicit inhibitory control during left and right hand responses.
• Analysis focused on phase lag index and inter-trial coherence (ITC) across different frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha).

Main Results:

• Inter-trial coherence (ITC) in delta (1-4 Hz) and theta (4-7 Hz) bands increased over the frontal and temporal lobes.
• EEG delta and theta band activities were identified as neural markers linked to inhibition in the frontal lobe.
• Highest brain connectivity under inhibitory control was observed in the frontal lobe (F3-F4 channels), exceeding temporal and occipital regions.

Conclusions:

• Increased EEG coherence and phase lag index in the frontal lobe are strongly associated with human response inhibition.
• Findings provide novel insights into the neural network mechanisms underlying inhibitory control.
• The study highlights the critical role of frontal lobe connectivity in regulating responses.