Cited by 441Neural dynamics and brain functionVisual perception and processing mechanismsNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research

Neuronal Mechanisms and Attentional Modulation of Corticothalamic Alpha Oscillations

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Bollimunta, Anil, Mo, Jue, Schroeder, Charles E., Ding, Mingzhou·2011·The Journal of Neuroscience

Abstract

Field potential oscillations in the ∼10 Hz range are known as the alpha rhythm. The genesis and function of alpha has been the subject of intense investigation for the past 80 years. Whereas early work focused on the thalamus as the pacemaker of alpha rhythm, subsequent slice studies revealed that pyramidal neurons in the deep layers of sensory cortices are capable of oscillating in the alpha frequency range independently. How thalamic and cortical generating mechanisms in the intact brain might interact to shape the organization and function of alpha oscillations remains unclear. We addressed this problem by analyzing laminar profiles of local field potential and multiunit activity (MUA) recorded with linear array multielectrodes from the striate cortex of two macaque monkeys performing an intermodal selective attention task. Current source density (CSD) analysis was combined with CSD–MUA coherence to identify intracortical alpha current generators and assess their potential for pacemaking. Coherence and Granger causality analysis was applied to delineate the patterns of interaction among different alpha current generators. We found that (1) separable alpha current generators are located in superficial, granular, and deep layers, with both layer 4C and deep layers containing primary local pacemaking generators, suggesting the involvement of the thalamocortical network, and (2) visual attention reduces the magnitude of alpha oscillations as well as the level of alpha interactions, consistent with numerous reports of occipital alpha reduction with visual attention in human EEG. There is also indication that alpha oscillations in the lateral geniculate cohere with those in V1.

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Crossref · 10.1523/jneurosci.5580-10.2011

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  • If the geniculocortical loop with striate cortex is a model for alpha generation, then layer 6 outputs to thalamus serve this role, pointing to layer 5 as the source of squared prediction error.

    “However, if we consider the geniculocortical loop with striate cortex as a model for alpha generation [69] it is the layer 6 outputs to thalamus that serve this role, pointing to layer 5, perhaps, as the source of squared prediction error.”
  • The core-cell pulvinar loop could serve as an alpha generator for extrastriate cortex, through a mechanism analogous to the geniculocortical loop through layers 4 and 6 of V1, and modulate the effectiveness of output from one area to another distant cortical region.

    “This circuit could serve as an alpha generator for extrastriate cortex [68], through a mechanism analogous to the geniculocortical loop through layers 4 and 6 of V1 [69], and modulate the effectiveness of the output from one area to another distant cortical region.”

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Chen Y Dhamala M Schroeder CE Ding M Vertes RP Stackman RW Current Source Density Analysis of Ongoing Neural Oscillations Electrophysiological Recording Methods 2010 27 40 Humana Press New Jersey
  2. Shaw JC Brain’s Alpha Rhythm and the Mind 2003 Elsevier Amsterdam

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Authors
Bollimunta, A., Mo, J., Schroeder, C. E., & Ding, M.
Affiliations
  • University of Florida (US)
  • Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research (US)
Corresponding author
Ding, Mingzhou
Venue
The Journal of Neuroscience
Published
2011-03-30
Volume
31
Issue
13
Pages
4935-4943
ISSN
  • 0270-6474 (ISSN-L)
  • 1529-2401
OpenAlex
W2045823207
Cited by
441
References
64
Citations by year
2026: 19 · 2025: 34 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 31 · 2021: 42 · 2020: 36 · 2019: 33 · 2018: 26 · 2017: 24 · 2016: 25 · 2015: 38 · 2014: 37 · 2013: 29 · 2012: 19
FWCI
15.27
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute of Mental Health (MH60358, MH87275, R01MH079388, MH79388, R21MH087275, R01MH060358)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Visual perception and processing mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
Keywords
alpha oscillations, corticothalamic network, thalamocortical interactions, current source density, multi-unit activity, visual attention, primary visual cortex, lateral geniculate nucleus, alpha coherence, Granger causality, macaque
MeSH terms
Acoustic Stimulation, Alpha Rhythm, Animals, Attention, Cerebral Cortex, Macaca fascicularis, Male, Neural Pathways, Neurons, Thalamus

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