Pharmacological modulation of directed network communication and neural hubs in action-effect integration

Acting intentionally requires individuals to anticipate the effects of their actions. Recent work has revealed the neural oscillatory dynamics underlying the establishment of action-effect bindings, which are vital to anticipating action effects. However, the neurobiological basis of these processes is elusive.

Healthy adult participants (N = 54) engaged in a double-blind, counter-balanced, placebo-controlled experiment in which they worked in an experiment able to examine how action effects are planned, anticipated, and processed under placebo and methylphenidate conditions. Electroencephalogram data were analyzed to investigate the directed communication in cortical networks underlying action effect integration.

We show that an increase in catecholaminergic system activity alters the strength of directed communication in a cortical theta frequency network constituted by the insular cortex, the anterior temporal lobe, and the inferior frontal cortex. Additionally, pharmacological modulation regulates which of the brain structures act as a hub in different phases of the action-effect binding process.

The findings highlight how the neural organization of processes supporting intentional action can be optimized neurobiologically through the catecholaminergic system.