Directed Communication in Theta and Alpha Networks Supports Content Handling in Working Memory

Executive functions enable flexible control of behavior by dynamically coordinating perception, memory, and action. Among them, working memory plays a central role by maintaining and transforming information to meet current goals. Here, we examined mental rotation-a core operation that exemplifies these control dynamics-and delineated the role of directed communication in theta and alpha band activity in cortical networks. Replicating the typical behavioral pattern in mental rotation, we showed that high-demand rotations were characterized by decreased theta and increased alpha power, reflecting a functional reallocation from control-intensive monitoring to stabilized maintenance of visual representations. EEG-beamforming localization identified anterior temporal, inferior frontal, and insular regions showing stronger directed information transfer to temporo-parietal and occipito-temporal regions. These findings suggest that mental rotation is associated with frequency-specific, hierarchically organized, directed communication between anterior control-related and posterior representational systems. In this directed communication, theta band dynamics likely coordinate working memory updating and response selection, whereas alpha-band coupling stabilizes mnemonic representations through inhibitory gating. The study suggests that directed theta and alpha dynamics may support the flexible transformation of internal representations in working memory.