Cortical theta phase synchronization involved in mismatch-driven perceptual alternation in binocular rivalry

Hirotsugu Goto, Tomokazu Urakawa, Yuna Maeda, Yuki Kurita, Osamu Araki

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

When two conflicting images are presented to each eye, a phenomenon called binocular rivalry occurs in which we initially perceive one image, and then our perception switches to the other over time. An enhancement of θ-band phase coherence in visual mismatch oscillatory response (vMOR) is reported to be involved in the facilitation of perceptual alternation when the deviant stimulus is presented unconsciously. In this study, we investigated the modulation effect of θ-band transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on perceptual alternation in binocular rivalry, with a focus on its relationship with the θ-band vMOR. The results showed that tACS had no significant effect on the mean proportion of perceptual alternation. Analyzing the differential effects of the modulation, however, we found a positive correlation between the increase in inter-trial phase coherence of the vMOR and the promotion of perceptual alternation under the unconscious deviant condition. Additionally, our findings indicate that the θ-band phase synchrony between frontal and occipital electrode sides, as measured by the phase lag index, is implicated in perceptual alternation, with an increase (decrease) in connection density observed in participants whose perceptual alternation was increased (decreased) by tACS. These results support the hypothesis that deviant visual stimuli evoke θ-band phase synchrony between the frontal and occipital cortices, thereby enhancing perceptual alternation in binocular rivalry.

Original languageEnglish
Article number137847
JournalNeuroscience Letters
Volume834
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 21 Jun 2024

Keywords

  • Binocular rivalry
  • Electroencephalogram
  • Functional connectivity
  • Perceptual alternation
  • Visual mismatch oscillatory response

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