Objective: To determine the latency and development of conditional suppression of alpha amplitude and its relationship to behaviour, alpha amplitude (8-13 Hz) was measured in a differential conditioning procedure.
Methods: The CS+/- were tones and the US was a photic checkerboard. Alpha amplitude, CNV, RT and verbal responses were recorded from 12 participants.
Results: The CS+/- difference in acquisition was greatest from 250 ms before the US. It was greatest from the trial where RT declined and participants could report the CS+/US relationship. There was an amplitude increase in lower band activity 230 ms after the US. This looked like a VEP but was produced by phase-locked activity starting before the US.
Conclusions: Predicting the US led to cortical priming. Amplitude change in acquisition is congruent with CNV, RT and verbal performance.
Significance: Prediction, expectancy and motor preparation are reflected in changes in alpha activity. These results provide converging evidence for the functional role of 8-10 Hz activity. They complement the emerging picture of the role of alpha activity in cognition, indicating that it extends to the acquisition of predictive knowledge.