Preparatory Alpha-band Modulations of Directed Information Transfer in Frontoparietal Circuits Support Adaptive Behavior

Adaptive behavior is central to coping with dynamic environmental changes. Although functional neuroanatomical and neurophysiological considerations suggest that information must be exchanged during adaptive behavior and similar predictions can be derived from cognitive science concepts, attempts to delineate the directed information transfer in theta and alpha networks during behavioral adaptation are rare. Using task switching as an experimental vehicle, we examined directed communication in theta and alpha band networks in n = 51 healthy individuals. We combined EEG-beamforming with an artificial neural network-based estimation of linear and nonlinear directed information transfer between cortical regions. We show increased theta and alpha band activities during switch trials, which aligns with the cognitive control demands of task switching. EEG-beamforming indicated oscillatory modulations in distinct brain-wide networks depending on frequency and time window, with theta and alpha activities strongly tied to task-set reconfiguration and inhibitory control. Directed connectivity analysis revealed overlapping alpha and theta clusters, highlighting their interplay in cognitive flexibility. Directed communication in a cortical alpha band network involving fronto-temporal, temporoparietal, occipital, and precentral activity clusters was critical when preparing for task switching. We observed a bidirectional information transfer across four neuroanatomical clusters with more substantial connectivity modulations correlating with better task performance. These findings emphasize the importance of directed information transfer in a cortical alpha band activity network in supporting adaptive behavior.