The Phase of Ongoing EEG Oscillations Predicts Visual Perception

• DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0113-09.2009
• Publication Date: 2009-06-17T17:28:05Z
• Authors: N. A. Busch; J. Dubois; R. VanRullen
• Keywords: Stimulus (psychology); Neural Activity

Oscillations are ubiquitous in electrical recordings of brain activity. While the amplitude ongoing oscillatory activity is known to correlate with various aspects perception, influence phase on perception remains unknown. In particular, since varies a much faster timescale than more sluggish fluctuations, effects could reveal fine-grained neural mechanisms underlying perception. We presented brief flashes light at individual luminance threshold while EEG was recorded. Although stimulus each trial identical, subjects detected approximately half (hits) and entirely missed other (misses). Phase distributions across trials were compared between hits misses. found that shortly before onset, two exhibited significant concentration, but different angles. This effect strongest theta alpha frequency bands. this time-frequency range, accounted for least 16% variability detection performance allowed prediction single-trial level. finding indicates visual fluctuates over time along The results support notion oscillations shape our possibly by providing temporal reference frame codes rely precise spike timing.