The article proposes that information flow in the brain is gated by functional inhibition, particularly through oscillatory alpha (8–13 Hz) activity. This inhibition reduces processing in task-irrelevant regions, allowing information to flow to task-relevant regions. Alpha activity is linked to functional inhibition, which is modulated by gamma (30–100 Hz) activity during active processing. Cross-frequency interactions between alpha and gamma activity are crucial for understanding brain function. Alpha activity in task-irrelevant regions correlates with optimal task performance, suggesting that alpha activity reflects the gating of information through inhibition. Studies show that alpha activity increases in disengaged regions and decreases in engaged regions, supporting the role of alpha in functional inhibition. Alpha activity is also linked to attention, memory, and sensory processing. The concept of "pulsed inhibition" suggests that alpha activity produces brief inhibitory episodes, modulating gamma activity. Gamma activity reflects neuronal processing, and cross-frequency interactions between alpha and gamma are essential for understanding the working brain as a network. The BOLD signal correlates with alpha activity, indicating that deactivation of task-irrelevant regions is linked to performance. Future research should explore the physiological mechanisms of alpha rhythm generation, the spatial scale of alpha inhibition, and the role of the thalamus in cognitive tasks. The study also highlights the importance of alpha activity in attentional control and disorders like ADHD. Overall, the framework suggests that alpha activity is a key mechanism for gating information through inhibition, shaping the functional architecture of the brain.The article proposes that information flow in the brain is gated by functional inhibition, particularly through oscillatory alpha (8–13 Hz) activity. This inhibition reduces processing in task-irrelevant regions, allowing information to flow to task-relevant regions. Alpha activity is linked to functional inhibition, which is modulated by gamma (30–100 Hz) activity during active processing. Cross-frequency interactions between alpha and gamma activity are crucial for understanding brain function. Alpha activity in task-irrelevant regions correlates with optimal task performance, suggesting that alpha activity reflects the gating of information through inhibition. Studies show that alpha activity increases in disengaged regions and decreases in engaged regions, supporting the role of alpha in functional inhibition. Alpha activity is also linked to attention, memory, and sensory processing. The concept of "pulsed inhibition" suggests that alpha activity produces brief inhibitory episodes, modulating gamma activity. Gamma activity reflects neuronal processing, and cross-frequency interactions between alpha and gamma are essential for understanding the working brain as a network. The BOLD signal correlates with alpha activity, indicating that deactivation of task-irrelevant regions is linked to performance. Future research should explore the physiological mechanisms of alpha rhythm generation, the spatial scale of alpha inhibition, and the role of the thalamus in cognitive tasks. The study also highlights the importance of alpha activity in attentional control and disorders like ADHD. Overall, the framework suggests that alpha activity is a key mechanism for gating information through inhibition, shaping the functional architecture of the brain.