Validating conceptions on the role of theta and alpha band activity during the management perception-action associations through EEG-tensor decomposition.

Abstract

Inhibitory control and perception-action integration are fundamental components of executive function, supported by distinct neural mechanisms. This study investigates the roles of theta and alpha oscillations in these processes during a Go/Nogo task, with a sample size of 73 healthy participants, using a novel application of non-negative tensor decomposition. The Non-negative CANDECOMP/PARAFAC algorithm was applied to multi-dimensional EEG data to preserve critical spatial, temporal, and spectral information. Results revealed that mid-frontal theta band activity is strongly associated with the reconfiguration of perception-action associations, particularly during overlapping Nogo trials, where cognitive demands are heightened. Alpha band activity, while less prominent, was also detected, indicating its involvement in top-down inhibitory control during conditions requiring less cognitive reconfiguration. These findings suggest complementary roles for theta and alpha oscillations, with theta playing a dominant role in managing perception-action associations. Tensor decomposition provides an effective means to capture complex neural signatures, offering deeper insights into the oscillatory dynamics that underlie cognitive control processes. This method may improve our understanding of EEG data and validate previous findings on neurophysiological functions in cognitive neuroscience.