Cortical oscillatory dynamics underlying response speed: insights from high-density EEG and the attention network test

Response speed is a fundamental cognitive function, yet the cortical mechanisms linking sensory processing to motor execution remain unclear. Using high-density electroencephalography (EEG) during the Attention Network Test, we examined preresponse cortical activity in 47 adults to identify oscillatory markers of rapid responses. Faster responses were characterized by enhanced occipital theta power and reduced occipital alpha power, suggesting a functional interaction between cognitive control and sensory processing regions. A brief theta burst preceding fast responses, coinciding with an alpha plateau, indicates a cross-frequency interplay optimizing response execution. Increased theta/alpha ratio further supports a cortical state favoring efficient stimulus-response processing. These findings highlight cortical oscillatory mechanisms that govern response speed, supporting top-down attentional control models. By identifying EEG-based biomarkers of rapid decision-making, this study advances our understanding of cortical dynamics underlying sensorimotor integration. The results have implications for cognitive neuroscience, neurorehabilitation, and neuroergonomics, providing insight into how large-scale cortical networks shape behavioral efficiency.