Human memory strength is predicted by theta-frequency phase-locking of single neurons

Ueli Rutishauser, Ian B. Ross, Adam N. Mamelak and Erin M. Schuman ()
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Ueli Rutishauser: Computation and Neural Systems and Division of Biology,
Ian B. Ross: Epilepsy & Brain Mapping Unit, Huntington Memorial Hospital, Pasadena, California 91105, USA
Adam N. Mamelak: Epilepsy & Brain Mapping Unit, Huntington Memorial Hospital, Pasadena, California 91105, USA
Erin M. Schuman: Computation and Neural Systems and Division of Biology,

Nature, 2010, vol. 464, issue 7290, 903-907

Abstract: Making memories stick Work with epilepsy patients being assessed for surgical treatment with electrodes implanted in the hippocampus and amygdala shows that successful memory formation can be predicted by the degree of coordination of spike timing relative to the local theta oscillation. When more stereotyped spiking was recorded, the subjects were able to retrieve the associated memories with more confidence. Brain oscillations in the 3–8 Hz 'theta' frequency range had been thought to be associated with synaptic plasticity and behavioural experiments suggest they may relate to memory, but until now the relationship between single neuron activity, oscillations and behavioural learning was been unknown in humans. By identifying conditions conducive to memory formation, studies of this type might one day throw some light on strategies that might be used to optimize stimulus presentation in learning situations for humans.

Date: 2010
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DOI: 10.1038/nature08860

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