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Human memory formation is accompanied by rhinal–hippocampal coupling and decoupling

Nature Neuroscience volume 4, pages 1259–1264 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

In humans, distinct processes within the hippocampus and rhinal cortex support declarative memory formation. But do these medial temporal lobe (MTL) substructures directly cooperate in encoding new memories? Phase synchronization of gamma-band electroencephalogram (EEG) oscillations (around 40 Hz) is a general mechanism of transiently connecting neural assemblies. We recorded depth-EEG from within the MTL of epilepsy patients performing a memorization task. Successful as opposed to unsuccessful memory formation was accompanied by an initial elevation of rhinal–hippocampal gamma synchronization followed by a later desynchronization, suggesting that effective declarative memory formation is accompanied by a direct and temporarily limited cooperation between both MTL substructures.

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Figure 1: Localization of MTL depth electrodes.
Figure 2: Changes of phase synchronization between rhinal cortex and hippocampus (%) relative to prestimulus baseline for subsequently recalled versus unrecalled words. Synchronization values were averaged over all analyzed gamma frequencies (32–48 Hz); mean and s.e.m. are plotted.
Figure 3: Differences of phase synchronization between rhinal cortex and hippocampus (%) relative to prestimulus baseline for subsequently recalled versus unrecalled words.
Figure 4: Distribution of phase differences between rhinal cortex and hippocampus in the gamma frequency range (32–48 Hz) for subsequently recalled versus unrecalled words.
Figure 5: Changes of EEG gamma power (%) averaged over all frequencies (32–48 Hz) relative to prestimulus baseline for subsequently recalled versus unrecalled words.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG Fe479/4-1). We wish to thank H. Beck, W. Burr, A. Engel, C. Koch, M. Reuber and I. Tendolkar for comments on earlier drafts of the manuscript. We also thank H. Urbach for providing the MR images and I. Blümcke for providing the histopathological reports.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epileptology, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud Str. 25, Bonn, D-53105, Germany

    Jürgen Fell, Peter Klaver, Klaus Lehnertz, Thomas Grunwald, Christian E. Elger & Guillén Fernández

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud Str. 25, Bonn, D-53105, Germany

    Carlo Schaller

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  1. Jürgen Fell
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Correspondence to Jürgen Fell.

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Fell, J., Klaver, P., Lehnertz, K. et al. Human memory formation is accompanied by rhinal–hippocampal coupling and decoupling. Nat Neurosci 4, 1259–1264 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/nn759

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