In sum, the present study shows that phase synchronization measures are suitable for investigation of oscillatory phenomena and underlying processes. Enhanced temporal and spatial phase synchronization in Go and NoGo trials as compared to Warning and Neutral trials indicate that intensive stimulus processing involving conflict detection and decision making is accompanied by stronger temporal precision of brain oscillations across trials and stronger synchronization of activity in distant brain regions, which facilitate neural integration and information exchange. At the same time, differences in phase synchronization between Go and NoGo trials and corresponding temporal and spatial changes of these synchronization patterns indicate that, despite some commonalities, neural processes underlying response production and inhibition are characterized by distinct patterns of synchronous activity.
