β-Bursting as a Sensitive Neural Marker of Inhibitory Control in Healthy Older Adults: A Linear Mixed-Effects Modeling and Threshold-Free Cluster Approach

Abstract

Inhibitory control is essential for adaptive behavior and declines with age, yet the underlying neural dynamics remain poorly understood. The β-rhythm (15–29 Hz) is associated with inhibitory signaling within the frontobasal ganglia network. Recent evidence suggests that transient β-bursts support inhibitory performance but are often masked by conventional trial-averaged β-power analyses. A recently developed analysis approach, combining linear mixed-effects modeling and threshold-free cluster enhancement (LMM–TFCE), was applied to examine trial-by-trial β-bursting activity associated with response inhibition and initiation in older adults. Twenty healthy older adults (nine females) performed a bimanual anticipatory response inhibition task, while electroencephalography and electromyography were recorded to capture β-activity (β-burst rate/volume; averaged β-power) and muscle bursting dynamics, respectively. Our analysis revealed distinct β-bursting signatures absent in averaged β-power data. During bimanual response inhibition, parieto-occipital β-bursting preceded bilateral frontocentral β-bursting, consistent with initial attentional processes prior to broader inhibitory network engagement. Moreover, a link was established between right sensorimotor β-bursting and muscle bursts during stopping, indicating rapid cortical suppression of initiated motor output. β-burst volume proved uniquely sensitive to response withholding, with early left frontal activity supporting preparatory suppression mechanisms. A further link between increased parieto-occipital β-burst volume and muscle bursts aligned with top–down inhibitory signaling to support visuomotor stabilization and prevent premature response release. These results underscore the sensitivity of β-bursting to both the timing and context of inhibitory demands in healthy aging. Future research will help establish the potential of β-bursting, combined with LMM–TFCE analysis, as a clinically relevant marker of impulse control dysfunction.