Brain oscillations track the formation of episodic memories in the real world

Griffiths, B., Mazaheri, A., Debener, S. and Hanslmayr, S. (2016) Brain oscillations track the formation of episodic memories in the real world. NeuroImage, 143, pp. 256-266. (doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2016.09.021) (PMID:27622395)

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Abstract

Despite the well-known influence of environmental context on episodic memory, little has been done to increase contextual richness within the lab. This leaves a blind spot lingering over the neuronal correlates of episodic memory formation in day-to-day life. To address this, we presented participants with a series of words to memorise along a pre-designated route across campus while a mobile EEG system acquired ongoing neural activity. Replicating lab-based subsequent memory effects (SMEs), we identified significant low to mid frequency power decreases (<30 Hz), including beta power decreases over the left inferior frontal gyrus. When investigating the oscillatory correlates of temporal and spatial context binding, we found that items strongly bound to spatial context exhibited significantly greater theta power decreases than items strongly bound to temporal context. These findings expand upon lab-based studies by demonstrating the influence of real world contextual factors that underpin memory formation.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This work was supported by grants awarded to S.H. by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft [Emmy Noether Programme Grant HA 5622/1-1]; and the European Research Council [Consolidator Grant Agreement 647954].
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Hanslmayr, Professor Simon
Authors: Griffiths, B., Mazaheri, A., Debener, S., and Hanslmayr, S.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
Journal Name:NeuroImage
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:1053-8119
ISSN (Online):1095-9572
Published Online:10 September 2016
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc.
First Published:First published in NeuroImage 143: 256-266
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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