Low Frequency LFP in Macaque MT Predicts Reaction Time in an Attentive Task

TL;DR

This study shows that low frequency oscillations in macaque MT can predict reaction times during an attention task, highlighting their role in attentional processes.

Contribution

It provides new evidence linking low frequency neural oscillations to attentional modulation and reaction time prediction in primate cortex.

Findings

Low frequency LFP phase predicts reaction time during attention tasks.

Low frequency oscillations are functionally involved in attention.

Supports the role of low frequency bands in neural attentional modulation.

Abstract

Neural oscillations are related to a wide variety of cognitive functions, including attention. However, there is still a controversy over the frequency bands that have functional roles in attention. In this study, using a spatial attention task we found that phase of low frequency oscillations could predict the reaction time of the monkey, when the monkey is attending to the target stimulus as opposed to attending a distractor. This finding provides strong evidence for the functional role of low frequency bands in attentional modulation of neural activities.