Gamma-Range Auditory Steady-State Responses and Cognitive Performance: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Science
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Auditory steady-state responses (ASSRs) reflect brain oscillations synchronized to auditory stimuli.
• Gamma-range ASSRs are crucial for understanding cognitive deficits in neuropsychiatric disorders.
• The relationship between gamma-range ASSRs and cognitive functions requires further clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and synthesize findings on the association between gamma-range ASSRs and cognitive functions.
• To investigate these associations in both healthy subjects and patients with neuropsychiatric/developmental disorders.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search yielding 1597 articles.
• Eligibility screening and exclusion of duplicates.
• Inclusion of 22 relevant studies for analysis.

Main Results:

• In healthy individuals, gamma-range ASSRs are linked to cognitive flexibility, reasoning, and processing speed.
• In schizophrenia patients, higher ASSRs correlate with better performance in memory and speeded tasks.
• Gamma-range ASSR variations reflect attentional control and information processing capabilities.

Conclusions:

• Individual differences in gamma-range ASSRs are associated with attentional control and information manipulation.
• These findings are relevant for understanding cognitive functions across healthy and impaired populations.
• Gamma-range ASSRs serve as a potential biomarker for cognitive abilities, including language processing.