Phase Resetting in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex Subserves Childhood Attention and Is Impaired by Epilepsy
Simeon M Wong1,2, Olivia N Arski2,3, Nebras M Warsi1,2,4
1Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, 164 College St Room 407, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G9, Canada.
Insights
Selective attention in children relies on theta-band phase resetting in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Impaired resetting due to epilepsy prolongs reaction times, highlighting the ACC
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Pediatric Neurology
Background:
- Neural mechanisms of selective attention in children remain unclear.
- Anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) plays a role in attention and cognitive control.
- Understanding attention deficits in pediatric epilepsy is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neural basis of selective attention during set-shifting in children.
- To examine the role of theta-band oscillations and ACC connectivity in attention.
- To explore the impact of epileptic activity on attentional mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Administered a set-shifting task to children with intracranial electrodes in the ACC.
- Recorded neural activity using stereotactically implanted electrodes for epilepsy monitoring.
- Analyzed theta-band phase resetting, oscillatory coupling, and reaction times.
Main Results:
- Selective attention depended on theta-band phase resetting in the ACC post-stimulus onset.
- Preferred theta phase angle predicted reaction time during attentional shifts.
- ACC showed enhanced coupling with the dorsal attention network and decoupling with the default mode network during the task.
Conclusions:
- Oscillatory phase in the ACC is mechanistically vital for supporting attentional circuitry.
- Epileptic activity near stimulus onset disrupted phase resetting and network connectivity, prolonging reaction times.
- Findings offer potential avenues for remediating attention deficits in children with epilepsy.
Abstract:
The neural mechanisms that underlie selective attention in children are poorly understood. By administering a set-shifting task to children with intracranial electrodes stereotactically implanted within anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) for epilepsy monitoring, we demonstrate that selective attention in a set-shifting task is dependent upon theta-band phase resetting immediately following stimulus onset and that the preferred theta phase angle is predictive of reaction time during attentional shift. We also observe selective enhancement of oscillatory coupling between the ACC and the dorsal attention network and decoupling with the default mode network during task performance. When transient focal epileptic activity occurs around the time of stimulus onset, phase resetting is impaired, connectivity changes with attentional and default mode networks are abolished, and reaction times are prolonged. The results of the present work highlight the fundamental mechanistic role of oscillatory phase in ACC in supporting attentional circuitry and present novel opportunities to remediate attention deficits in children with epilepsy.
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