Attentional switching‐related human EEG alpha oscillations

&NA; Alpha oscillations during cognitive performance have mostly been studied in memory and/or basic attention tasks. This study investigates task‐related alpha power desynchronization during an attentional switching task requiring higher executive attentional control. Low 8–10 Hz and high 10–12 Hz alpha power responses are studied in good versus poor performers based upon normative data. Accurate, fast and stable performers showed significant task‐related desynchronization in the 8–10 Hz range during attentional switching, whereas inaccurate performers hypersynchronized in the 10–12 Hz range, and slow and unstable performers did not demonstrate significant alpha reactivity. These preliminary findings indicate, in agreement with previous research, functional differences in these narrow frequency bands. The 8–10 Hz power decrease is likely to be related to phasic arousal or alertness, whereas the 10–12 Hz power increase appears to be associated with inaccurate attentional switching.

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