Gamma Oscillations Index Sustained Attention in a Brief Vigilance Task

Sustained attention is an essential behavior in life, but often leads to performance decrements with time. Computational accounts of sustained suggest this due brief disruptions goal-directed processing, or microlapses. Decreases gamma spectral power are a potential candidate for indexing microlapses and discriminating between low high performers tasks, while increases beta, alpha, theta expected exhibit compensatory effort offset fatigue. The current study tests these hypotheses 10-minute Psychomotor Vigilance Test, context that eliminates confounds measuring frequencies. 34 participants ( Mage = 22.60; SDage 4.08) volunteered the study. Results suggested frontal declined time-on-task, indicating reduction central cognition. Beta increased suggesting effort; however, alpha did not increase. Additionally, discriminated performers, potentially motivational differences groups.