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Lateralised modulation of posterior alpha oscillations by closed loop auditory stimulation during memory retention
Henry Hebron1,2,3,4,5, Radost Dimitrova1,2,3, Valeria Jaramillo1,2,3
1School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Stag Hill, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, United Kingdom.
Cerebral Cortex (New York, N.Y. : 1991)
|September 10, 2025
Summary
Researchers externally induced lateralized alpha frequency in the brain, enhancing working memory. This demonstrates a novel neuromodulation technique for cognitive enhancement using targeted auditory stimulation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Brain Stimulation
Background:
- Alpha oscillations are crucial for working memory maintenance.
- Posterior alpha power lateralizes with spatially lateralized memory content.
- Faster alpha frequency correlates with better memory performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if alpha frequency lateralization can be externally induced during working memory retention.
- To explore the potential of closed-loop auditory stimulation for modulating alpha frequency asymmetrically.
- To associate induced frequency lateralization with behavioral task performance.
Main Methods:
- Utilized alpha closed-loop auditory stimulation.
- Targeted stimulation to opposite alpha phases on contralateral cortices.
- Leveraged sound-induced phase-dependent modulation of alpha frequency.
Main Results:
- Successfully induced asymmetric alpha frequency modulation between visual cortices.
- Demonstrated that alpha frequency lateralization can be externally driven.
- Found a correlation between the degree of induced frequency lateralization and behavioral asymmetry.
Conclusions:
- Alpha frequency lateralization is not inherent during working memory but can be induced.
- Closed-loop auditory stimulation is a viable method for asymmetric neuromodulation.
- Externally induced alpha frequency lateralization impacts cognitive task performance.
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