249 Human Intra-Thalamic Neurophysiologic Synchrony in the Context of Mathematical Cognition

INTRODUCTION: Learning and intellectual disabilities (LID) significantly impact cognitive functions such as attention and memory. A crucial aspect of cognitive processing, cognitive control, involves the neural adaptation to internal and external states, engaging global networks to drive goal-directed behavior. The role of intra-thalamic interactions in modulating cognitive control remains unexplored in humans. METHODS: Stereotactic electroencephalography (sEEGs) data was recorded from patients undergoing monitoring for refractory epilepsy. While in the EMU patients completed tasks involving mathematical reasoning, and neural data were processed by computing phase locking value (PLV) between anatomically partitioned contacts from anterior, mid and posterior thalamus. These were compared for fast and slow responses within and across subjects. RESULTS: Across subjects anterior-mid thalamic connectivity in the preparatory period demonstrated significantly increased beta band PLV preceding fast trials (12-30 Hz), and intra-Pulvinar connectivity in the low gamma band (30-55 Hz) immediately after the prior trial preceding enhanced performance in the upcoming trial. Pre-cue and post-cue differences were significant for both (p < 1e-50). These patterns were consistent within subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings reveal significant dynamic interactions within the thalamus and potentially between thalamic nucei and cortical networks underpinning cognitive control processes. The involvement of specific thalamic regions in rapid cognitive responses in mathematical trials highlights potential optimized thalamic network interactions during mathematical cognition. Ultimately these first in human findings advance our understanding of the thalamic mechanisms in cognitive control and offers a foundational perspective for future therapeutics targeting network pathologies in LID.