Brain rhythms in cognition -- controversies and future directions

Anne Keitel; Christian Keitel; Mohsen Alavash; Karin Bakardjian; Christopher S. Y. Benwell; Sophie Bouton; Niko A. Busch; Antonio Criscuolo; Keith B. Doelling; Laura Dugue; Laetitia Grabot; Joachim Gross; Simon Hanslmayr; Laura-Isabelle Klatt; Daniel S. Kluger; Gemma Learmonth; Raquel E. London; Christina Lubinus; Andrea E. Martin; Jonas Obleser; Johanna M. Rimmele; Vincenzo Romei; Manuela Ruzzoli; Felix Siebenhuhner; Sophie Slaats; Eelke Spaak; Luca Tarasi; Gregor Thut; Jelena Trajkovic; Danying Wang; Malte Wostmann; Benedikt Zoefel; Satu Palva; Paul Sauseng; Sonja A. Kotz

arXiv · 2507.15639

Brain rhythms in cognition -- controversies and future directions

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Abstract

Brain rhythms seem central to understanding the neurophysiological basis of human cognition. Yet, despite significant advances, key questions remain unresolved. In this comprehensive position paper, we review the current state of the art on oscillatory mechanisms and their cognitive relevance. The paper critically examines physiological underpinnings, from phase-related dynamics like cyclic excitability, to amplitude-based phenomena, such as gating by inhibition, and their interactions, such as phase-amplitude coupling, as well as frequency dynamics, like sampling mechanisms. We also critically evaluate future research directions, including travelling waves and brain-body interactions. We then provide an in-depth analysis of the role of brain rhythms across cognitive domains, including perception, attention, memory, and communication, emphasising ongoing debates and open questions in each area. By summarising current theories and highlighting gaps, this position paper offers a roadmap for future research, aimed at facilitating a unified framework of rhythmic brain function underlying cognition.

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Anne Keitel, Christian Keitel, Mohsen Alavash, Karin Bakardjian, Christopher S. Y. Benwell, Sophie Bouton, Niko A. Busch, Antonio Criscuolo, Keith B. Doelling, Laura Dugue, Laetitia Grabot, Joachim Gross, Simon Hanslmayr, Laura-Isabelle Klatt, Daniel S. Kluger, Gemma Learmonth, Raquel E. London, Christina Lubinus, Andrea E. Martin, Jonas Obleser, Johanna M. Rimmele, Vincenzo Romei, Manuela Ruzzoli, Felix Siebenhuhner, Sophie Slaats, Eelke Spaak, Luca Tarasi, Gregor Thut, Jelena Trajkovic, Danying Wang, Malte Wostmann, Benedikt Zoefel, Satu Palva, Paul Sauseng, Sonja A. Kotz. 2025-07-21. Brain rhythms in cognition -- controversies and future directions. https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.15639

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