Uncovering the role of directed connectivity in alpha and theta band activity for sustaining perception-action links

Central to the process of efficient response selection, the integration of perception and action remains a primary focus in neuroscience. The current study sets out to examine the roles of theta, alpha and beta frequency band activity in perception-action binding processes, as well as the corresponding directed connectivity patterns between the associated neuroanatomical structures. To this end, electroencephalography (EEG) data are collected from N = 43 healthy participants performing a classic prime-probe experimental paradigm which are subsequently subjected to EEG-beamforming methods as well as Non-linear Causal Relationship Estimation by Artificial Neural Network in order to identify linear and non-linear connectivity patterns. The results highlight the integral role of the alpha frequency band in the management of perception-action associations, particularly in the maintenance of these associations over time. In contrast, theta band activity appears to be crucial for the organization of sequential information but does not sustain the continuity of perception-action associations across time.