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Updated: Jul 22, 2026
Automatic Detection of Highly Organized Theta Oscillations in the Murine EEG
Published on: March 10, 2017
Resting-State Theta/Beta Ratio Reveals Distinct Neural Signatures in High Sign-Tracking Individuals
Lorenzo Mattioni1, Francesco di Gregorio1, Marco Badioli1
1Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy.
Background:
Individual differences in reward learning and motivational processes are reflected in sign-tracking behavior. This phenotype, characterized by heightened attraction to reward-associated cues, is linked to increased impulsivity, addiction vulnerability, and externalizing psychiatric disorders.
Methods:
To identify underlying neural differences, we tested whether high sign-tracking individuals exhibited an elevated mid-frontal theta/beta ratio, a resting electroencephalography (EEG) biomarker indicating reduced cortical control over subcortical motivational circuits. Sixty volunteers completed a 5-minute resting-state EEG session followed by a Pavlovian learning task. Participants were classified into high or low sign-tracking groups based on objective eye-gaze metrics.
Results:
High sign-tracking participants demonstrated a significantly higher mid-frontal theta/beta ratio compared with the low sign-tracking group.
Conclusions:
These findings identify the mid-frontal theta/beta ratio as a neural marker capable of distinguishing individual differences in reward cue reactivity. This suggests a pathway for targeted interventions aimed at the underlying cortical-subcortical dysregulation associated with sign-tracking and related vulnerabilities.
