Neurobehavioural Effects of Fear Conditioning: Linking Freezing Behaviour to Prefrontal EEG Patterns - Figure 5

In contrast, when EEG activity during freezing and non-freezing behavioural states was compared, significant differences emerged across all frequency bands. Broadband power increased during freezing episodes, with p-values and confidence intervals as follows: Delta (p = 0.04, 95% CI [−121.75, −2.20]), theta (p = 0.02, 95% CI [−25.19, −1.88]), alpha (p = 0.04, 95% CI [−18.02, −0.45]), beta (p = 0.03, 95% CI [−14.32, −0.69]) and gamma (p = 0.04, 95% CI [−2.98, −0.066]) (see Figure 5). This pattern is consistent with earlier research suggesting that defensive behavioural states, like freezing, are linked to short-lived but significant increases in activity in the prefrontal cortex. These increases show how the brain's fear and threat-monitoring circuits are engaged.