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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2025.03.11.642697

Alpha and Beta Oscillations Mediate the Effect of Motivation on Neural Coding of Cognitive Flexibility

Delgado, J. M. C.·Ison, M. J.·Muhle-Karbe, P. S.·Stokes, M. G.·Hall-McMaster, S.·Myers, N. E.
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Abstract

Cognitive flexibility is crucial for adaptive human behaviour. Prior studies have analysed the effect of reward on cognitive flexibility; however, the neural mechanisms underlying these effects remain largely unknown. This study explores how reward influences neural oscillations and how these changes impact behavioural performance. Using time-frequency decomposition, we examined electroencephalographic data from participants engaged in rule-guided task-switching with varying reward prospects. Higher anticipated rewards lead to greater desynchronisation of alpha (8-12Hz) and beta (20-30Hz) oscillations, which in turn correlated with improved task performance. Both alpha power and event-related potential (ERP) coding of reward independently predicted reward-based performance improvements, suggesting distinct mechanisms supporting proactive control. These findings underscore the unique contributions of neural oscillations in mediating motivational effects on cognitive flexibility.

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Delgado, J. M. C., Ison, M. J., Muhle-Karbe, P. S., Stokes, M. G., Hall-McMaster, S., Myers, N. E.. 2025-03-12. Alpha and Beta Oscillations Mediate the Effect of Motivation on Neural Coding of Cognitive Flexibility. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.03.11.642697

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