Year: 2017
Type: dissertation
Abstract: This thesis examined the behavioural and electrophysiological signatures of cross-modal phase resetting.This functional connectivity is evident in the brains oscillations that are coordinated through synchronous rhythmic fluctuations.Neural oscillations are ubiquitous in the brain and the synchronised activity between neural populations is thought to be instrumental in the formation of transient coalitions of neurons that guide, modulate or drive behaviour.The key assumption is that this neural coordination is controlled intrinsically, although external input can affect the brains internal dynamics.This is achieved through phase resetting, the alignment of ongoing oscillations.This describes a mechanism whereby an event in one modality can reorganise or phase align oscillations in another, such that subsequent event in that modality are predictable.Through this mechanism, it is possible to investigate modulation of sensory gain across modalities, highlighting the role oscillations play in the discretisation observed in perception.Another well-studied model case for this fundamental operation is the interaction between motor and sensory areas.Motor action leads to predictable sensory consequences.The results of this thesis indicates that, cross-modal phase resetting is a candidate mechanism that could describe the interaction between sensory areas included motor regions.
Author: Kevin D. Prinsloo
Language: English
Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2624358541