Early gamma-band responses reflect anticipatory top-down modulation in the auditory cortex

Neuroimage. 2009 Aug 15;47(2):651-8. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2009.04.074. Epub 2009 May 3.

Abstract

For efficient and fast encoding of our complex acoustic environment, not only aspects of bottom-up processing are significant, but rather top-down influences such as attention, memory, and anticipation promote specific behavior and perception. Neural oscillatory activity in the gamma-range (30-80 Hz) is discussed as a conceivable candidate to represent very rapid modulations of top-down factors. We investigated effects of anticipation on early gamma-band responses (GBRs) of the EEG and event-related potentials (ERPs) in response to tone sequences. These sequences were composed of six sinusoidal tones, which could be either regularly ascending or descending in frequency. Thus, the sequences reflected a good continuation of pitch, which also resulted in the buildup of strong expectancies for the upcoming stimulus within the sequence. However, some of the tone sequences contained a violation of the good continuation of pitch at the third or fifth tone position. The early phase-locked portion of the gamma-band activity was significantly increased when tones were in line with the good continuation of sequences compared to deviant tones. Further, a pronounced early negative ERP response, starting at 150 ms, was elicited by deviant tones at the third and fifth position. Our results support the notion that gamma-band oscillations reflect perceptual grouping processes of concurrent sounds and anticipatory top-down modulation, which involves some of the first stages of auditory information processing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Auditory Cortex / physiology*
  • Brain Mapping / methods*
  • Cognition / physiology*
  • Electroencephalography / methods*
  • Evoked Potentials, Auditory / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pitch Perception / physiology*