Electroencephalography theta/beta ratio covaries with mind wandering and functional connectivity in the executive control network
Dana van Son, M. de Rover, F. D. de Blasio, W. van der Does, R. Barry, P. Putman
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences July 16, 2019 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14180 (opens in new tab) via Semantic Scholar
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractFrontal resting-state EEG theta/beta ratio (TBR) is negatively related to cognitive control, and mind wandering (MW) is associated with increased theta and reduced beta power. This study tested whether MW-related fluctuations in TBR covary with connectivity changes in the executive control network (ECN) and default mode network (DMN). In 26 participants performing a 40-minute breath-counting task, frontal TBR was higher during MW than controlled thought, and this was marginally related to resting-state TBR. DMN connectivity was higher and ECN connectivity lower during MW. Greater ECN connectivity during focus compared to MW correlated with lower TBR during focus compared to MW. These results provide the first neural correlates of TBR and its functional dynamics.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Within-subjects experimental design Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 26 |
| Population | Participants who performed a breath-counting task |
| Duration | 40-minute task |
| Keywords | Medicine Psychology |
| Key finding | Frontal TBR is higher during mind wandering than controlled thought, and this difference is marginally related to resting-state TBR; DMN connectivity increases and ECN connectivity decreases during mind wandering. |
Abstract
The ratio between frontal resting‐state electroencephalography (EEG) theta and beta frequency power (theta/beta ratio, TBR) is negatively related to cognitive control. It is unknown which psychological processes during resting state account for this. Increased theta and reduced beta power are observed during mind wandering (MW), and MW is related to decreased connectivity in the executive control network (ECN) and increased connectivity in the default mode network (DMN). The goal of this study was to test if MW‐related fluctuations in TBR covary with such functional variation in ECN and DMN connectivity and if this functional variation is related to resting‐state TBR. Data were analyzed for 26 participants who performed a 40‐min breath‐counting task and reported the occurrence of MW episodes while EEG was measured and again during magnetic resonance imaging. Frontal TBR was higher during MW than controlled thought and this was marginally related to resting‐state TBR. DMN connectivity was higher and ECN connectivity was lower during MW. Greater ECN connectivity during focus than MW was correlated to lower TBR during focus than MW. These results provide the first evidence of the neural correlates of TBR and its functional dynamics and further establish TBR's usefulness for the study of executive control, in normal and potentially abnormal psychology.