Cited by 3,237Neural dynamics and brain functionFunctional Brain Connectivity StudiesNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research

Shaping Functional Architecture by Oscillatory Alpha Activity: Gating by Inhibition

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Jensen, Ole, Mazaheri, Ali·2010·Frontiers in Human Neuroscience

Abstract

In order to understand the working brain as a network, it is essential to identify the mechanisms by which information is gated between regions. We here propose that information is gated by inhibiting task-irrelevant regions, thus routing information to task-relevant regions. The functional inhibition is reflected in oscillatory activity in the alpha band (8-13 Hz). From a physiological perspective the alpha activity provides pulsed inhibition reducing the processing capabilities of a given area. Active processing in the engaged areas is reflected by neuronal synchronization in the gamma band (30-100 Hz) accompanied by an alpha band decrease. According to this framework the brain could be studied as a network by investigating cross-frequency interactions between gamma and alpha activity. Specifically the framework predicts that optimal task performance will correlate with alpha activity in task-irrelevant areas. In this review we will discuss the empirical support for this framework. Given that alpha activity is by far the strongest signal recorded by EEG and MEG, we propose that a major part of the electrophysiological activity detected from the working brain reflects gating by inhibition.

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Crossref · 10.3389/fnhum.2010.00186

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  • Traditional interpretations treated alpha as an idling rhythm, but contemporary EEG research strongly supports the view that alpha oscillations regulate functional inhibition, sensory gating, attentional selection, and access to stored information.

    “Traditional interpretations treated alpha as an idling rhythm, but contemporary EEG research strongly supports the view that alpha oscillations regulate functional inhibition, sensory gating, attentional selection, and access to stored information [224,225,226].”

    From Electrophysiological Correlates of Cognitive Dysfunction in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): A Systematic and Mechanistic Review of EEG, ERP, and QEEG Evidence (2026) · cites this paper as [224]

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  • According to the "gating by inhibition" model, alpha synchronisation helps suppress task-irrelevant regions or representations, thereby shaping the functional architecture of the working brain.

    “According to the “gating by inhibition” model, alpha synchronisation helps suppress task-irrelevant regions or representations, thereby shaping the functional architecture of the working brain [224].”
  • Alpha synchrony may act as a sensory gating mechanism to inhibit irrelevant stimuli and is typically found in deeper midline structures, including the thalamus, supporting its role in vertical integration.

    “Alpha synchrony may act as a sensory gating mechanism to inhibit irrelevant stimuli ( Herrmann and Knight, 2001 ; Jensen and Mazaheri, 2010 ; Jones and Sliva, 2020 ; Saj et al., 2021 ) and is typically found in deeper midline structures, including the thalamus ( Lopes da Silva, 1991 ) supporting its role in vertical integration.”

    From The brain-body disconnect: A somatic sensory basis for trauma-related disorders (2022) · cites this paper as Jensen and Mazaheri, 2010

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  1. Vertes R. P. Kocsis B. (1997). Brainstem-diencephalo-septohippocampal systems controlling the theta rhythm of the hippocampus. Neuroscience 81, 893– 926 9330355

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Authors
Jensen, O., & Mazaheri, A.
Affiliations
Radboud University Nijmegen (NL)
Corresponding author
Jensen, Ole
Venue
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
Published
2010
Volume
4
Pages
186-186
ISSN
1662-5161 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W1996538430
Cited by
3,237
References
111
Citations by year
2026: 329 · 2025: 318 · 2024: 300 · 2023: 256 · 2022: 246 · 2021: 278 · 2020: 259 · 2019: 245 · 2018: 204 · 2017: 204 · 2016: 130 · 2015: 136 · 2014: 134 · 2013: 86 · 2012: 61
FWCI
36.52
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Frontiers in Human Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Radboud Repository (Radboud University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • University of Birmingham Research Portal (University of Birmingham) (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Radboud Repository (Radboud University) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
Keywords
alpha oscillations, functional inhibition, gamma oscillations, cross-frequency coupling, neuronal synchronization, brain networks, working memory, EEG, MEG

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