Cognitive architectures as a tool for investigating the role of oscillatory power and coherence in cognition

In contrast to our increasing knowledge of the role that oscillations in single brain regions play in cognition, very little is known about how coherence between oscillations in distant brain regions is related to information transmission. Here I present a cognitive modeling approach that can address that question. Specifically, I show how a model of the attentional blink implemented in the ACT-R cognitive architecture is related to the amplitude and coherence of EEG oscillations. The dynamics of the model's working memory resource is primarily associated with parietal 4-9 Hz theta oscillations, while the dynamics of the model's declarative memory, visual perception and procedural resources together are correlated with posterior theta oscillations. I further show that model predictions about inter-module communication during the processes of stimulus identification and target consolidation are associated with selective increases in coherence at the predicted points in time.