Baseline hippocampal theta oscillation speeds correlate with rate of operant task acquisition.

Full Abstract

Many lines of evidence indicate that theta rhythm, a prominent neural oscillatory mode found in the mammalian hippocampus, plays a key role in the acquisition, processing, and retrieval of memories. However, a predictive neurophysiological feature of the baseline theta rhythm that correlates with the learning rate across different animals has yet to be identified. Here we show that the mean theta rhythm speed observed during baseline periods of immobility has a strong positive correlation with the rate at which rats learn an operant task. This relationship is observed across rats, during both quiet waking (r=0.82; p<0.01) and paradoxical sleep (r=0.83; p<0.01), suggesting that the basal theta frequency relates to basic neurological processes that are important in the acquisition of operant behavior.

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Author information

Author/s: Santos, Lucas M (LM); Dzirasa, Kafui (K); Kubo, Rodrigo (R); Silva, M Teresa A (MT); Ribeiro, Sidarta (S); Sameshima, Koichi (K); Valle, Angela C (AC); Timo-Iaria, Cesar (C);

Affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA. lucas_santos(-atsign-)brown.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Behavioural brain research (Behav Brain Res), published in Netherlands. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Jun; vol 190 (issue 1) : pp 152-5

Dates: Created 2008/04/18; Completed 2008/08/13;

PMID: 18378012, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Rats
Rats, Wistar
Regression Analysis
Reinforcement Schedule
Reward
Sleep - physiology
Theta Rhythm
Wakefulness - physiology

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