Theta and beta synchrony coordinate frontal eye fields and anterior cingulate cortex during sensorimotor mapping

Authors

Sahand Babapoor-Farrokhran, Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5K8.
Martin Vinck, Department of Neurobiology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Conneticut 06520, USA.
Thilo Womelsdorf, Department of Biology, Centre for Vision Research, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M3J 1P3.
Stefan Everling, Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5K8.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-7-2017

Journal

Nature communications

Volume

8

First Page

13967

URL with Digital Object Identifier

10.1038/ncomms13967

Abstract

The frontal eye fields (FEFs) and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) are commonly coactivated for cognitive saccade tasks, but whether this joined activation indexes coordinated activity underlying successful guidance of sensorimotor mapping is unknown. Here we test whether ACC and FEF circuits coordinate through phase synchronization of local field potential and neural spiking activity in macaque monkeys performing memory-guided and pro- and anti-saccades. We find that FEF and ACC showed prominent synchronization at a 3-9 Hz theta and a 12-30 Hz beta frequency band during the delay and preparation periods with a strong Granger-causal influence from ACC to FEF. The strength of theta- and beta-band coherence between ACC and FEF but not variations in power predict correct task performance. Taken together, the results support a role of ACC in cognitive control of frontoparietal networks and suggest that narrow-band theta and to some extent beta rhythmic activity indexes the coordination of relevant information during periods of enhanced control demands.