Properties of Neuronal Oscillations at Rest as Predictors of Cognitive Task Performance

Among executive processes that facilitate task performance, sustained and phasic processes can be detected according to the distinguished underlying neuronal dynamics. The sustained process is referred to as continuous intrinsic maintenance of tonic alertness and was associated with static properties of neuronal dynamics such as power of ongoing oscillations. Phasic process is referred to as fast-changing aspects of tonics alertness that requires shifting and keeping of stimulus-related information and was associated with dynamic properties of neuronal activity such as long-range temporal correlations that reflect the flexibility of neuronal system. Considering the ambiguity of available studies on the relation between cognitive processes that facilitate task performance and the underlying neuronal basis at rest, we aimed at replication of previously conducted investigations and extension for domain-general and domain-specific sustained and phasic executive processes. We performed analysis of power and long-range temporal correlations in Alpha frequency range for 64-channel resting state EEG recordings. Dynamic long-range temporal correlations was positively associated with both domain-specific and domain-general phasic executive processes suggesting an ability of neuronal system to efficiently maintain and quickly reconfigure functional states that way underpin efficient cognitive switching. No association was was detected for static property (power) of neuronal activity at rest, which can be explained with the effects of cognitive load, time and difficulty of the tasks that may not require high inhibitory processes. Considering the detected associations, further confirmation of both hypothesis is required.