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Symposium and Mini-Symposium

Beta Oscillations in Working Memory, Executive Control of Movement and Thought, and Sensorimotor Function

Robert Schmidt, Maria Herrojo Ruiz, Bjørg E. Kilavik, Mikael Lundqvist, Philip A Starr and Adam R. Aron
Journal of Neuroscience 16 October 2019, 39 (42) 8231-8238; https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1163-19.2019
Robert Schmidt
1Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S1 2LT, UK,
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Maria Herrojo Ruiz
2Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths University of London, London, SE14 6NW, UK,
3Center for Cognition and Decision Making, Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow 101000, Russian Federation,
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Bjørg E. Kilavik
4Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone, Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, 13005, France,
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Mikael Lundqvist
5Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307,
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Philip A Starr
6Department of Neurosurgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, and
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Adam R. Aron
7Department of Psychology, University of California San Diego La Jolla, CA 92093
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Abstract

Beta oscillations (∼13 to 30 Hz) have been observed during many perceptual, cognitive, and motor processes in a plethora of brain recording studies. Although the function of beta oscillations (hereafter “beta” for short) is unlikely to be explained by any single monolithic description, we here discuss several convergent findings. In prefrontal cortex (PFC), increased beta appears at the end of a trial when working memory information needs to be erased. A similar “clear-out” function might apply during the stopping of action and the stopping of long-term memory retrieval (stopping thoughts), where increased prefrontal beta is also observed. A different apparent role for beta in PFC occurs during the delay period of working memory tasks: it might serve to maintain the current contents and/or to prevent interference from distraction. We confront the challenge of relating these observations to the large literature on beta recorded from sensorimotor cortex. Potentially, the clear-out of working memory in PFC has its counterpart in the postmovement clear-out of the motor plan in sensorimotor cortex. However, recent studies support alternative interpretations. In addition, we flag emerging research on different frequencies of beta and the relationship between beta and single-neuron spiking. We also discuss where beta might be generated: basal ganglia, cortex, or both. We end by considering the clinical implications for adaptive deep-brain stimulation.

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The Journal of Neuroscience: 39 (42)
Journal of Neuroscience
Vol. 39, Issue 42
16 Oct 2019
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Beta Oscillations in Working Memory, Executive Control of Movement and Thought, and Sensorimotor Function
Robert Schmidt, Maria Herrojo Ruiz, Bjørg E. Kilavik, Mikael Lundqvist, Philip A Starr, Adam R. Aron
Journal of Neuroscience 16 October 2019, 39 (42) 8231-8238; DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1163-19.2019

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Beta Oscillations in Working Memory, Executive Control of Movement and Thought, and Sensorimotor Function
Robert Schmidt, Maria Herrojo Ruiz, Bjørg E. Kilavik, Mikael Lundqvist, Philip A Starr, Adam R. Aron
Journal of Neuroscience 16 October 2019, 39 (42) 8231-8238; DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1163-19.2019
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