Human gamma-band activity and behavior

Human gamma-band activity (GBA) has been related to a variety of functions ranging from perception and attention to memory and consciousness. Indeed fast spectral activity derived during numerous experimental paradigms has been interpreted as providing support for the functional importance of these signals. The present review provides an overview of findings demonstrating direct or indirect associations between GBA and behavioral measures of task performance or perceptual experience in humans. While the majority of papers have focused on perception and awareness, relationships between GBA and behavior have also been observed during insightful problem solving, short- or long-term memory, and motor tasks. In these studies, GBA was reported to predict behavioral measures such as correct response rates or reaction times both in healthy subjects and patients with neuropsychiatric disorders. The review demonstrates that there is increasingly strong evidence for a close association between GBA during both perceptual and cognitive tasks and behavioral outcome measures. With this in mind, the investigation of GBA might help elucidate the mechanisms underlying deficient functioning in patients with neuropsychiatric disorders.

Research Highlights► Review of associations between gamma-band activity (GBA) and behavioral performance. ► GBA predicts correct response rates or reaction times in humans. ► GBA during perceptual awareness, short-/long-term memory and motor behavior. ► GBA-behavior associations support functional role of GBA in cognitive processing.