Intrinsic connectivity networks, alpha oscillations, and tonic alertness: a simultaneous electroencephalography/functional magnetic resonance imaging study

• Published in: The Journal of neuroscience Vol. 30; no. 30; pp. 10243 - 10250
• Main Authors: Sadaghiani, Sepideh, Scheeringa, René, Lehongre, Katia, Morillon, Benjamin, Giraud, Anne-Lise, Kleinschmidt, Andreas
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Society for Neuroscience 28-07-2010
• Subjects: Adult; Alpha Rhythm; Attention - physiology; Brain - blood supply; Brain - physiology; Brain Mapping; Cognitive science; Electroencephalography - methods; Female; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted - methods; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Male; Neural Pathways - blood supply; Neural Pathways - physiology; Neuroscience; Oxygen - blood; Regression Analysis; Spectrum Analysis; Time Factors; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0270-6474; 1529-2401; 1529-2401
• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1004-10.2010

Trial-by-trial variability in perceptual performance on identical stimuli has been related to spontaneous fluctuations in ongoing activity of intrinsic functional connectivity networks (ICNs). In a paradigm requiring sustained vigilance for instance, we previously observed that higher prestimulus activity in a cingulo-insular-thalamic network facilitated subsequent perception. Here, we test our proposed interpretation that this network underpins maintenance of tonic alertness. We used simultaneous acquisition of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) in the absence of any paradigm to test an ensuing hypothesis, namely that spontaneous fluctuations in this ICN's activity (as measured by fMRI) should show a positive correlation with the electrical signatures of tonic alertness (as recorded by concurrent EEG). We found in human subjects (19 male, 7 female) that activity in a network comprising dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, anterior insula, anterior prefrontal cortex and thalamus is positively correlated with global field power (GFP) of upper alpha band (10-12 Hz) oscillations, the most consistent electrical index of tonic alertness. Conversely, and in line with earlier findings, alpha band power was negatively correlated with activity in another ICN, the so-called dorsal attention network which is most prominently involved in selective spatial attention. We propose that the cingulo-insular-thalamic network serves maintaining tonic alertness through generalized expression of cortical alpha oscillations. Attention is mediated by activity in other systems, e.g., the dorsal attention network for space, selectively disrupts alertness-related suppression and hence manifests as local attenuation of alpha activity.