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Oscillatory Reinstatement Enhances Declarative Memory

Javadi, Amir-Homayoun, Glen, James C., Halkiopoulos, Sara, Schulz, Mei, Spiers, Hugo J. (2017) Oscillatory Reinstatement Enhances Declarative Memory. The Journal of Neuroscience, 0265 (17). ISSN 0270-6474. E-ISSN 1529-2401. (doi:10.1523/jneurosci.0265-17.2017) (KAR id:63545)

Abstract

Declarative memory recall is thought to involve the reinstatement of neural activity patterns that occurred previously during encoding. Consistent with this view, greater similarity between patterns of activity recorded during encoding and retrieval has been found to predict better memory performance in a number of studies. Recent models have argued that neural oscillations may be crucial to reinstatement for successful memory retrieval. However, to date, no causal evidence has been provided to support this theory, nor has the impact of oscillatory electrical brain stimulation during encoding and retrieval been assessed. To explore this we used transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) of human participants (n = 70, 45 females, age mean (SD) = 22.12 (2.16)) during a declarative memory task. Participants received either the same frequency during encoding and retrieval (60-60 Hz or 90-90 Hz) or different frequencies (60-90 Hz or 90-60 Hz). When frequencies matched there was a significant memory improvement (at both 60 and 90 Hz) relative to sham stimulation. No improvement occurred when frequencies mismatched. Our results provide support for the role of oscillatory reinstatement in memory retrieval.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1523/jneurosci.0265-17.2017
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion
B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User: Amir-Homayoun Javadi
Date Deposited: 25 Sep 2017 08:49 UTC
Last Modified: 09 Dec 2022 07:13 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/63545 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Javadi, Amir-Homayoun.

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0569-6441
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