Neural dynamics underlying the cue validity effect in target conflict resolution

Cue validity significantly influences attention guidance, either facilitating or hindering the ability for conflict resolution. Previous studies have demonstrated that the validity effect and conflict resolution are associated with better/worse behavioral performance and specific neural activations; however, the underlying neural mechanism of their interaction remains unclear. We hypothesized that the effect of cue validity might sustain specific sequences of neural activities until target occurrence and throughout the subsequent conflict resolution. In this study, we recorded the scalp electroencephalography during the Attention Network Test paradigm to investigate their interactions in neural dynamics. Specifically, we performed a cluster-level channel-time-frequency analysis to explore significant time-frequency neural activity patterns associated with these interactions, in scalp regions of interest determined by a data-driven strategy. Our results revealed a string of significant neural dynamics in the frontal and parietal regions, including initial broad-band (especially the gamma-band) activations and subsequent complex cognitive processes evoked/effected by the invalid cue, that were firstly elicited. Finally, the resolution of conflict was completed by the frontal behavior-related theta-band power reduction. In summary, our findings advanced the understanding of the temporal and spectral sequences of neural dynamics, with the key regions involved in the resolution of conflict after invalid cueing.