Lateral prefrontal theta oscillations causally drive a computational mechanism underlying conflict expectation and adaptation

María Paz Martínez-Molina, Gabriela Valdebenito-Oyarzo, Patricia Soto-Icaza, Francisco Zamorano, Alejandra Figueroa-Vargas, Patricio Carvajal-Paredes, Ximena Stecher, César Salinas, Antoni Valero-Cabré, Rafael Polania Jimenez and Pablo Billeke ()
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María Paz Martínez-Molina: Universidad del Desarrollo
Gabriela Valdebenito-Oyarzo: Universidad del Desarrollo
Patricia Soto-Icaza: Universidad del Desarrollo
Francisco Zamorano: Clínica Alemana
Alejandra Figueroa-Vargas: Universidad del Desarrollo
Patricio Carvajal-Paredes: Universidad del Desarrollo
Ximena Stecher: Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana-Universidad del Desarrollo
César Salinas: Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana-Universidad del Desarrollo
Antoni Valero-Cabré: INSERM U 1127 and Sorbonne Université
Pablo Billeke: Universidad del Desarrollo

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-16

Abstract: Abstract Adapting our behavior to environmental demands relies on our capacity to perceive and manage potential conflicts within our surroundings. While evidence implicates the involvement of the lateral prefrontal cortex and theta oscillations in detecting conflict stimuli, their causal role in conflict expectation remains elusive. Consequently, the exact computations and neural mechanisms underlying these cognitive processes still need to be determined. We employed an integrative approach involving cognitive computational modeling, fMRI, TMS, and EEG to establish a causal link between oscillatory brain function, its neurocomputational role, and the resulting conflict processing and adaptation behavior. Our results reveal a computational process underlying conflict expectation, which correlates with BOLD-fMRI and theta activity in the superior frontal gyrus (SFG). Modulation of theta activity via rhythmic TMS applied over the SFG induces endogenous theta activity, which in turn enhances computations associated with conflict expectation. These findings provide evidence for the causal involvement of SFG theta activity in learning and allocating cognitive resources to address forthcoming conflict stimuli.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-54244-8

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