Directed transfer of information in theta networks: Timing and its role in managing distractions during action control

Goal-directed behavior seems to unfold effortlessly, but everyday experience tells us that goal-directed acting can become complicated when confronted with distracting information. Yet, the neural underpinnings of how distracting information affects response selection is still contentious, especially when taking the stance of theoretical frameworks on perception-action integration processes. We show that particularly theta band activity in a ventral stream-parietal network plays a key role in managing distracting information during response selection. While our findings demonstrate bidirectional interactions between these regions, they are consistent with the idea that theta-related communication may support the integration of distracting information across hierarchical processing levels. A decisive factor modulating this dynamic is the timing of distractor and response relevant information. It determines the patterning of cortical activity and how the information transfer between cortical regions is organized. The findings highlight the critical role of theta activity in the directed transfer of information between cortical regions for how distractions influence response selection, thereby offering new insights into the neural basis of perception-action integration.