title: Thalamic theta phase alignment predicts human memory formation and anterior thalamic cross-frequency coupling.
abstract: Previously we reported electrophysiological evidence for a role for the anterior thalamic nucleus (ATN) in human memory formation (Sweeney-Reed et al., 2014). Theta-gamma cross-frequency coupling (CFC) predicted successful memory formation, with the involvement of gamma oscillations suggesting memory-relevant local processing in the ATN. The importance of the theta frequency range in memory processing is well-established, and phase alignment of oscillations is considered to be necessary for synaptic plasticity. We hypothesized that theta phase alignment in the ATN would be necessary for memory encoding. Further analysis of the electrophysiological data reveal that phase alignment in the theta rhythm was greater during successful compared with unsuccessful encoding, and that this alignment was correlated with the CFC. These findings support an active processing role for the ATN during memory formation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Catherine M
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3684-1245
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Sweeney-Reed
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Tino
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zaehle
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Voges
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Friedhelm C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Schmitt
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Buentjen
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kopitzki
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Hermann
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hinrichs
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Hans-Jochen
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Heinze
authors.affiliation: Center for Vital Longevity and School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, United States.
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Rugg
authors.affiliation: Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, United States.
authors.forename: Robert T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Knight
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Richardson-Klavehn
mesh_terms: D004569:Electroencephalography; D006801:Humans; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation / Q000502:physiology; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D013788:Thalamus / Q000502:physiology*; D013826:Theta Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: cross-frequency coupling; encoding; human; iEEG; memory; neuroscience; phase alignment; thalamus