Theta activity from frontopolar cortex, mid-cingulate cortex and anterior cingulate cortex shows different roles in cognitive planning performance

Cognitive planning, the ability to develop a sequenced plan achieve goal, plays crucial role in human goal-directed behavior. However, specific of frontal structures planning is unclear. We used novel and ecological task, that allowed us separate period from execution period. The spatio-temporal dynamics EEG recordings showed induced progressive sustained increase frontal-midline theta activity (FM?) over time. Source analyses indicated this was generated within prefrontal cortex. Theta right mid-Cingulate Cortex (MCC) left Anterior Cingulate (ACC) were correlated with an time needed for elaborating plans. On other hand, Frontopolar cortex (FP) exhibited negative correlation required executing plan. Since reaction times correct responses, FP might be associated efficiency accuracy making Associations between MCC ACC may reflect high cognitive demand due engagement attentional control conflict monitoring implementation. In turn, association performance participation brain region successfully self-generated