Modulation of aperiodic EEG activity provides sensitive index of cognitive state changes during working memory task.

ABSTRACT: To better understand cognitive processes, it is valuable to consider both periodic (oscillatory) and aperiodic electrophysiological brain activity. The aim of this study was to clarify how the periodic and aperiodic electrophysiological components reflect the cognitive processes involved in working memory. Fifty-seven human participants performed an n-back task while their brain activity was recorded using EEG. The analysis of both components of the EEG spectrum during task performance indicates that both periodic and aperiodic activities exhibit distinct task-related spatiotemporal dynamics that are closely related to cognitive demands. The results suggest that a substantial portion of the changes often attributed to theta oscillations in working memory tasks may be influenced by shifts i

SUBMITTER: Frelih T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12611282 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature