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Dynamic activities of the frontal association cortex in calculating and thinking
K Sasaki1, T Tsujimoto, A Nambu
1Department of Integrative Physiology, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan.
Abstract:
We found 5-7 Hz magnetic theta waves in the frontal association cortex of adult human subjects during calculation and musical imagination by using 37-channel SQUID gradiometers. Simultaneous recording from the left and right cerebral hemispheres with two sets of 37-channel gradiometers revealed that the theta activity appeared in a waxing and waning manner in the frontal cortices of both hemispheres during the mental exercises. Electrical current dipoles for the theta waves were estimated to occur repeatedly and scatteringly in various parts of the frontal lobes of both hemispheres during continuous and intense mental exercises for 2 min. The results suggest a dynamic mode of activities in the frontal association cortex during mental effort such as calculating and thinking.