SSVEP Responses Reveal the Efficiency of Functional Brain Network Entrained by the Flickering Stimulus

Abstract

Abstract In this study, we used the graph theoretical analysis to investigate the association between the functional networks entrained by periodic stimuli and the steady state visual evoked potentials (SSVEP) responses. Using 12.5Hz and 16.6Hz, we found that the SSVEP responses were positively correlated with the clustering coefficient, global and local efficiencies, while negatively correlated with the characteristic path length of the functional networks. These findings indicated that larger SSVEP responses correspond with better functional networks structures. This study may bring new insights into understanding brain mechanisms when using SSVEPs as frequency tags.