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Delta-gamma coupling as a potential neurophysiological mechanism of fluid intelligence

Author

Listed:
  • Gągol, A.
  • Magnuski, M.
  • Kroczek, B.
  • Kałamała, P.
  • Ociepka, M.
  • Santarnecchi, E.
  • Chuderski, A.

Abstract

Electrophysiological investigations have pointed out significant yet weak correlations between intelligence and oscillatory brain activity, including the spectral power, frequency, complexity, synchrony, and coherence of electroencephalographic (EEG) signals, however neglecting the interplay between fast and slow neuronal oscillations underlying information transfer in the brain. We found that fluid intelligence level (gf) depends on the precise synchronization of fast oscillations to a specific time window of slow brain rhythms. Specifically, by examining EEG recordings of 50 people in resting state as well as during performance at two gf tasks we found converging evidence that high-gf participants display stronger Phase-Amplitude Coupling (PAC) related to an increased concentration of gamma (~36Hz) spectral power at the descending phase of delta oscillations (~3Hz). Delta-gamma PAC strength explained 35% variance in scores on multiple gf tests, outperforming six alternative EEG-based predictors including spectral power, complexity and amplitude-amplitude coupling. Present results suggest PAC as a neurophysiological substrate of gf in humans, offering novel insight about the role of slow and fast brain rhytms in high-order cognition, as well as a potential new target for neuromodulatory interventions in the healthy and pathological brain.

Suggested Citation

  • Gągol, A. & Magnuski, M. & Kroczek, B. & Kałamała, P. & Ociepka, M. & Santarnecchi, E. & Chuderski, A., 2018. "Delta-gamma coupling as a potential neurophysiological mechanism of fluid intelligence," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 54-63.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:intell:v:66:y:2018:i:c:p:54-63
    DOI: 10.1016/j.intell.2017.11.003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Santarnecchi, Emiliano & Emmendorfer, Alexandra & Pascual-Leone, Alvaro, 2017. "Dissecting the parieto-frontal correlates of fluid intelligence: A comprehensive ALE meta-analysis study," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 9-28.
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    Cited by:

    1. Euler, Matthew J. & Schubert, Anna-Lena, 2021. "Recent developments, current challenges, and future directions in electrophysiological approaches to studying intelligence," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    2. Bruton, Oliver J., 2021. "Is there a “g-neuron”? Establishing a systematic link between general intelligence (g) and the von Economo neuron," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    3. Hilger, Kirsten & Spinath, Frank M. & Troche, Stefan & Schubert, Anna-Lena, 2022. "The biological basis of intelligence: Benchmark findings," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    4. Ociepka, Michał & Kałamała, Patrycja & Chuderski, Adam, 2022. "High individual alpha frequency brains run fast, but it does not make them smart," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).

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