The functional relevance of phase reset: a comment to Risner et al. (2009): The visual evoked potential of surface alpha rhythm phase

Abstract

In this comment we argue that a proof of phase reset is difficult for a variety of reasons. We suggest that a theoretical analysis of the assumptions and empirical evaluation of predictions of the phase reset model offers a promising way to shed new light on mechanisms generating ERPs. The crucial assumption is that the purpose of phase reset is the event-related reorganization of the phase of task relevant oscillations in a way to enhance stimulus processing. We assume that the findings reported by (Risner, M., Aura, Ch., Black, J., and Gawne, T., 2009--this issue. The visual evoked potential is independent of surface alpha rhythm phase. Neuroimage.), may be due to the lack of task relevance of alpha in an experiment where subjects were passively viewing light flashes.