Oscillations around memory

Abstract

Neuroscience\nHippocampal oscillations in the theta range have been hypothesized to play a central role in organizing neuronal ensembles to link together item and contextual representations. Experimental evidence in rodents shows the importance of theta oscillations for associative memory. However, the role of hippocampal theta oscillations in human memory is not as well understood. Kota et al. administered an associative recognition memory task to epilepsy patients who happened to have electroencephalogram electrodes implanted for other medical reasons. Theta oscillatory power increase in the 2- to 5-Hz range and phase reset in the hippocampus reflected processes supporting recollection, rather than familiarity, during encoding and retrieval. These observations link theta-range activity to associative memory encoding and retrieval in humans.\n\nJ. Neurosci. 40 , 9507 (2020).