Beta, but not gamma, band oscillations index visual form-motion integration

PLoS One. 2014 Apr 29;9(4):e95541. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0095541. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Electrophysiological oscillations in different frequency bands co-occur with perceptual, motor and cognitive processes but their function and respective contributions to these processes need further investigations. Here, we recorded MEG signals and seek for percept related modulations of alpha, beta and gamma band activity during a perceptual form/motion integration task. Participants reported their bound or unbound perception of ambiguously moving displays that could either be seen as a whole square-like shape moving along a Lissajou's figure (bound percept) or as pairs of bars oscillating independently along cardinal axes (unbound percept). We found that beta (15-25 Hz), but not gamma (55-85 Hz) oscillations, index perceptual states at the individual and group level. The gamma band activity found in the occipital lobe, although significantly higher during visual stimulation than during base line, is similar in all perceptual states. Similarly, decreased alpha activity during visual stimulation is not different for the different percepts. Trial-by-trial classification of perceptual reports based on beta band oscillations was significant in most observers, further supporting the view that modulation of beta power reliably index perceptual integration of form/motion stimuli, even at the individual level.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Electroencephalography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetoencephalography
  • Male
  • Motion*
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

This study was funded by Agence Nationale pour la Recherche (ANR) ViMAGINE n°BLAN08-2_317597 to J.L. (http://www.agence-nationale-recherche.fr/); C.A. was supported by a grant from the Ministère de l'Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche (MESR). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.