Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Electroencephalographic Correlates of Brain States during Verbal Learning: I. Characteristics of EEG Local Synchronization

  • Published:
Human Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Electroencephalograms (EEGs) were recorded by 19 standard derivations in 57 subjects in a resting state with the eyes opened, during memorization of verbal bilingual semantic pairs (Latin and Russian), and during retrieval (monitoring) of the learned information. Statistical comparison of the EEG spectral power in the frequency bands θ, α1, α2, β1, β2, and γ showed that induction of the states of memorization (encoding) and retrieval of the verbal information led to multiple significant changes in the EEG absolute power (local synchronization) as compared to the state of rest. Such changes took place simultaneously in different frequency bands over the entire cortex. The relative values and significance of changes in different cortical regions varied. The main features of the EEG power-difference patterns were an increase in the power of the γ band over the entire cortex, a bilateral increase in the power of the β2 band in the temporal areas, and a decrease in the power of the α2 and α1 bands over a large part of the cortical surface. In the state of retrieval, synchronization in the γ- and β2 bands and desynchronization in the α2 band were significantly stronger than in the state of encoding. In the α1 band, desynchronization was more pronounced in the state of encoding than in the state of retrieval. The results are discussed in combination with the available data of the EEG studies of different types of memory.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  1. Karpenko, M.P., The Problem of Measurement of Knowledge and Education Technologies, Zh. Prakt. Psikhol., 1997, no. 4, p. 107.

  2. Izyumova, S.A. and Chmykhova, E.V., Realization of Ideas of Variable Individually Oriented Teaching in Education Technologies of the SGU, In Trudy SGU. Psikhologiya i sotsiologiya obrazovaniya (Proceedings of the SGU: Psychology and Sociology of Education), Moscow, 2001, p. 58.

  3. Basar-Eroglu, C., Struber, D., Schurmann, M., et al., γ-Band Responses in the Brain: A Short Review of Psychophysiological Correlates and Functional Significance, Int. J. Psychophysiol., 1996, vol. 24, p. 101.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Klimesch, W., EEG α and θ Oscillations Reflect Cognitive and Memory Performance: A Review and Analysis, Brain Res. Rev., 1999, vol. 29, nos.2–3, p. 169.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Basar, E., Basar-Eroglu, C., Karakas, S., and Schurmann, M., Brain Oscillations in Perception and Memory, Int. J. Psychophysiol., 2000, vol. 35, p. 95.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. McGaugh, J.L. and Gold, P.E., Modulation of Memory by Electrical Stimulation of the Brain, in Neural Mechanisms in Learning and Memory, Cambridge: Mass, 1976, p. 46.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Bekhtereva, N.P., Zdorovyi i bol'noi mozg cheloveka (Healthy and Diseased Human Brain), Leningrad: Nauka, 1988, 2nd ed.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Tikhomirova, I.V., Chmykhova, E.V., Shlyakhta, N.F., Standardization of the Technique for Measuring the Rate of Knowledge Acquisition (TUZ-V), in Trudy SGU. Gumanitarnye nauki. Psikhologiya i sotsiologiya obrazovaniya (Proceedings of the SGU: Human Sciences: Psychology and Sociology of Education), Moscow, 2002, issue 44, p. 30.

  9. Kachalova, L.M., Bogolepova, S.F., and Plyplin, V.V., α-Rhythm and Rate of Knowledge Acquisition, in Trudy SGU. Gumanitarnye nauki. Psikhologiya i sotsiologiya obrazovaniya (Proceedings of the SGU: Human Sciences: Psychology and Sociology of Education), Moscow: SGU, 2002, issue 44, p. 180.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Fitzgibbon, S.P., Pope, K.J., Mackenzie, L., et al., Cognitive Tasks Augment γ EEG Power, Clin. Neurophysiol., 2004, vol. 115, no.8, p. 1802.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Tallon-Baudry, C., Bertrand, O., Peronnet, F., and Pernier, J., Induced γ-Band Activity during the Delay of a Visual Short-Term Memory Task in Humans, J. Neurosci., 1998, vol. 18, no.11, p. 4244.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Herrmann, C.S., Munk, M.H., and Engel, A.K., Cognitive Functions of γ-Band Activity: Memory Match and Utilization, Trends Cogn. Sci., 2004, vol. 8, no.8, p. 347.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Lutzenberger, W., Ripper, B., Busse, L., et al., Dynamics of γ-Band Activity during an Audiospatial Working Memory Task in Humans, J. Neurosci., 2002, vol. 22, no.13, p. 5630.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Kaiser, J. and Lutzenberger, W., Induced γ-Band Activity and Human Brain Function, Neuroscientist, 2003, vol. 9, no.6, p. 475.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Babiloni, C., Babiloni, F., Carducci, F., et al., Human Cortical EEG Rhythms during Long-Term Episodic Memory Task: A High-Resolution EEG Study of the HERA Model, Neuroimage, 2004, vol. 21, no.4, p. 1576.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Pulvermuller, F., Lutzenberger, W., Preissl, H., and Birbaumer, N., Spectral Responses in the γ-Band: Physiological Signs of Higher Cognitive Processes?, Neuroreport, 1995, vol. 6, no.15, p. 2059.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Sterman, M.B., Kaiser, D.A., and Veigel, B., Spectral Analysis of Event-Related EEG Responses during Short-Memory Performance, Brain Topogr., 1996, vol. 9, p. 21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Gevins, A., Smith, M.E., McEvoy, L., and Yu, D., High-Resolution EEG Mapping of Cortical Activation Related to Working Memory: Effects of Task Difficulty, Type of Processing, and Practice, Cereb. Cortex, 1997, vol. 7, no.4, p. 374.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Klimesch, W., EEG α Rhythms and Memory Processes, Int. J. Psychophysiol., 1997, vol. 26, nos.1–3, p. 319.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Klimesch, W., Doppelmayer, M., Schwaiger, J., et al., “Paradoxical” α Synchronization in a Memory Task, Brain Res. Cogn. Brain Res., 1999, vol. 7, no.4, p. 493.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Klimesch, W., Doppelmayer, M., Rohm, D., et al., Simultaneous Desynchronization and Synchronization of Different α Responses in the Human Electroencephalogram: A Neglected Paradox?, Neurosci. Lett., 2000, vol. 284, nos.1–2, p. 97.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Krause, C.M., Sillanmaki, L., Koivisto, M., et al., The Effects of Memory Load on Event-Related EEG Desynchronization and Synchronization, Clin. Neurophysiol, 2000, vol. 111, no.11, p. 2071.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Jensen, O., Gelfand, J., Kounious, J., and Lisman, J.E., Oscillations in the α Band (9–12 Hz) Increase with Memory Load during Retention in a Short-Term Memory Task, Cereb. Cortex, 2002, vol. 12, no.8, p. 877.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Schack, B. and Klimesch, W., Frequency Characteristics of Evoked and Oscillatory Electroencephalic Activity in a Human Memory Scanning Task, Neurosci. Lett., 2002, vol. 331, no.2, p. 107.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Sauseng, P., Klimesch, W., Gruber, W., et al., The Interplay between θ and α Oscillations in the Human Electroencephalogram Reflect the Transfer of Information between Memory Systems, Neurosci. Lett., 2002, vol. 324, no.2, p. 121.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Duzel, E., Habib, R., Schott, B., et al., A Multivariate, Spatiotemporal Analysis of Electromagnetic Time-Frequency Data of Recognition Memory, Neuroimage, 2003, vol. 18, no.2, p. 185.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Herrmann, C.S., Senkowski, D., and Rottger, S., Phase-Locking and Amplitude Modulations of EEG α: Two Measures Reflect Different Cognitive Processes in a Working Memory Task, Exp. Psychol., 2004, vol. 51, no.4, p. 311.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of the Human Brain, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, 197376, Russia

    S. G. Danko, N. P. Bechtereva, N. V. Shemyakina & M. G. Startchenko

  2. Institute of Cognitive Neurology, Modern University for the Humanities, Moscow, Russia

    L. M. Kachalova

Authors
  1. S. G. Danko
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. N. P. Bechtereva
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. L. M. Kachalova
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. N. V. Shemyakina
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. M. G. Startchenko
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

__________

Translated from Fiziologiya Cheloveka, Vol. 31, No. 5, 2005, pp. 13–20.

Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Danko, Bechtereva, Kachalova, Shemyakina, Startchenko.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Danko, S.G., Bechtereva, N.P., Kachalova, L.M. et al. Electroencephalographic Correlates of Brain States during Verbal Learning: I. Characteristics of EEG Local Synchronization. Hum Physiol 31, 504–510 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10747-005-0089-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10747-005-0089-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation