Resting EEG alpha-power over posterior sites indexes baseline visual cortex excitability

Romei, V., Rihs, T., Brodbeck, V. and Thut, G. (2008) Resting EEG alpha-power over posterior sites indexes baseline visual cortex excitability. NeuroReport(19), pp. 203-208.

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Abstract

Variations of oscillatory brain activity have been related to distinct functional states depending on the frequency of oscillations. In the alpha-band (~8-14Hz), decreased oscillatory activity is thought to reflect a state of enhanced cortical excitability, and increased activity a state of cortical idling or inhibition in which excitability is reduced, but the alpha/excitability link has not been probed directly. Here, we studied the relationship between resting oscillatory activity and visual cortex excitability across participants using electroencephalography (EEG) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to the occipital pole. We found individual posterior alpha-band power to correlate with individual threshold for eliciting illusory, TMS-induced visual percepts. This provides direct support for an alpha/excitability link and for baseline states of the visual brain to vary across individuals.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Thut, Professor Gregor
Authors: Romei, V., Rihs, T., Brodbeck, V., and Thut, G.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Psychology
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
Journal Name:NeuroReport
Publisher:Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
ISSN:0959-4965
ISSN (Online):1473-558X

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