Influence of Study Time Differences on EEG Cross-Frequency Coupling During Working Memory Tasks | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Influence of Study Time Differences on EEG Cross-Frequency Coupling During Working Memory Tasks Zhiwei Xu, Siqi Liu This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-5622676/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 26 Jan, 2026 Read the published version in Humanities and Social Sciences Communications → Version 1 posted 12 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract This study explores the influence of long-term learning behavior on brain cross-frequency coupling (CFC) mechanisms and their effects on working memory. The research included 40 third-year university students from the same major, divided into two groups: one group (20 students) was actively involved in academic activities for three years, while the other group (20 students) had minimal academic engagement. Using electroencephalogram (EEG) data collected during resting-state and Sternberg Working Memory Task (STB) periods, the study analyzed changes in amplitude-amplitude coupling (AAC) and phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) to understand the relationship between learning behavior and cognitive function. During resting state, no significant differences in AAC and PAC were observed, suggesting stable neural networks. However, the STB task revealed significant differences in coupling in specific EEG channels: AAC differed notably in T8 and P3, while PAC showed distinctions in C3. These differences point to potential variations in information processing and cognitive regulation mechanisms between the groups. Although these variations did not directly impact task performance, they provide insights into how long-term learning affects neural processing pathways. This research highlights the importance of analyzing neural coupling patterns in specific cognitive tasks to assess the impact of educational interventions. The findings can guide the design of tailored educational strategies and cognitive training programs, underscoring the significance of long-term learning for brain function. Social science/Development studies Social science/Education Social science/Psychology Cross-Frequency Coupling Cognitive Function EEG Working Memory Task Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files T.edSupplementarymaterial.docx Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 26 Jan, 2026 Read the published version in Humanities and Social Sciences Communications → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 11 Apr, 2025 Reviews received at journal 02 Apr, 2025 Reviews received at journal 25 Mar, 2025 Reviews received at journal 23 Mar, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 14 Mar, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 12 Mar, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 12 Mar, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 12 Mar, 2025 Editor invited by journal 12 Mar, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 12 Mar, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 30 Dec, 2024 First submitted to journal 11 Dec, 2024 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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