Perception–Action Integration Is Linked to Posterior Alpha/Beta Desynchronization

Stimulus-response (S-R) bindings, which integrate sensory stimuli and motor responses into event files, are transient yet essential for adaptive behavior. This study investigated the EEG oscillatory dynamics underlying S-R binding processes, focusing on the roles of event-related desynchronization (ERD) and event-related synchronization (ERS) in the alpha/beta and theta frequency ranges during the integration and maintenance phases of S-R bindings. Using the S1R1-S2R2 task with response-stimulus intervals of 1000 msec and 3000 msec between the prime response and the onset of the probe display, we examined behavioral partial repetition costs and their neural correlates. Behavioral results confirmed the transient nature of S-R bindings, with greater partial repetition costs observed in the shorter response-stimulus interval condition. EEG time-frequency analyses revealed a significant negative correlation between alpha/beta power changes (ERD) during the initial integration time window around the prime response and behavioral S-R binding. Beamformer analysis localized this correlation effect to secondary visual cortex. In addition, a significant positive correlation was observed between alpha power increase (ERS) during the maintenance time window before the probe display onset and behavioral S-R binding. No significant correlation between theta power and behavioral S-R binding was observed. Together, these findings highlight the distinct contributions of alpha/beta ERD and alpha ERS to the temporal dynamics of S-R bindings and advance our understanding of the neural oscillatory mechanisms underpinning perception-action integration and event-file maintenance.