Activating Cognitive Processes in Human Cortex at Multiple Low-Frequency Bands

Neural oscillations are fundamental for brain function, governing various cognitive processes. While electrophysiological studies have characterized the frequency properties of these oscillations, their spatial resolution is limited. In contrast, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) provides high spatial resolution but was initially restricted to a narrow frequency range. This study aims to bridge the gap by investigating the role of blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) oscillations across multiple frequency bands in cognitive processes using high temporal resolution task-fMRI data. Our findings reveal that different frequency bands are associated with distinct functional processes. Specifically, the slow-1 to slow-3 bands primarily contribute to local sensory information processing, while the slow-4 band is crucial for various fundamental cognitive functions, including somatic motor function and social cognitive function. The slow-5 band is involved in cognitive processes requiring higher memory load, integrated cognitive processing, and attention maintenance. Through multiband activation analysis, this study underscores the importance of analyzing a broad frequency range to capture the full spectrum of brain function. These findings highlight the diverse roles of different frequency bands in brain activity, shedding light on the underlying mechanisms of cognitive processes. This research enhances our understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive processes and has significant implications for cognitive neuroscience and clinical applications.