Fronto-temporal interactions in the theta-band during auditory deviant processing

Mismatch negativity (MMN) is a negative component of event-related potential (ERP) that reflects auditory deviant detection. Previous studies repeatedly suggested that MMN is generated by the fronto-temporal network. However, it is still unclear how the frontal and temporal areas interact. To verify this, we observed the spatiotemporal pattern of inter-regional functional connectivity using phase synchrony and Granger causality, by analyzing event-related electroencephalograms (EEGs) elicited by standard and deviant tones in an oddball paradigm. Strong theta-band phase synchrony and bidirectional Granger causality were observed between the frontal and temporal areas during the processing of auditory deviants, especially at the temporal interval of MMN. Our results support the hypothesis that fronto-temporal interactions are crucial to the generation of MMN during auditory deviant processing.