Document Detail


Human memory strength is predicted by theta-frequency phase-locking of single neurons.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20336071     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Learning from novel experiences is a major task of the central nervous system. In mammals, the medial temporal lobe is crucial for this rapid form of learning. The modification of synapses and neuronal circuits through plasticity is thought to underlie memory formation. The induction of synaptic plasticity is favoured by coordinated action-potential timing across populations of neurons. Such coordinated activity of neural populations can give rise to oscillations of different frequencies, recorded in local field potentials. Brain oscillations in the theta frequency range (3-8 Hz) are often associated with the favourable induction of synaptic plasticity as well as behavioural memory. Here we report the activity of single neurons recorded together with the local field potential in humans engaged in a learning task. We show that successful memory formation in humans is predicted by a tight coordination of spike timing with the local theta oscillation. More stereotyped spiking predicts better memory, as indicated by higher retrieval confidence reported by subjects. These findings provide a link between the known modulation of theta oscillations by many memory-modulating behaviours and circuit mechanisms of plasticity.
Authors:
Ueli Rutishauser; Ian B Ross; Adam N Mamelak; Erin M Schuman
Publication Detail:
Type:  Clinical Trial; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't     Date:  2010-03-24
Journal Detail:
Title:  Nature     Volume:  464     ISSN:  1476-4687     ISO Abbreviation:  Nature     Publication Date:  2010 Apr 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-04-08     Completed Date:  2010-05-17     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0410462     Medline TA:  Nature     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  903-7     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Computation and Neural Systems and Division of Biology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Action Potentials / physiology
Amygdala / cytology,  physiology
Electrodes, Implanted
Epilepsy
Hippocampus / cytology,  physiology
Humans
Memory / physiology*
Models, Neurological
Neuronal Plasticity / physiology
Neurons / physiology*
Theta Rhythm*
Time Factors
Grant Support
ID/Acronym/Agency:
//Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Comments/Corrections
Comment In:
Nat Rev Neurosci. 2010 May;11(5):296   [PMID:  20419858 ]

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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