Power of theta waves in the EEG of human subjects increases during recall of haptic information

Neurosci Lett. 1999 Feb 5;260(3):189-92. doi: 10.1016/s0304-3940(98)00990-2.

Abstract

Several studies have reported a functional relationship between spectral power within the theta-band of the EEG (theta-power) and memory load while processing visual or semantic information. We investigated theta power during the processing of different complex haptic stimuli using a delayed recall design. The haptic explorations consisted of palpating the structure of twelve sunken reliefs with closed eyes. Subjects had to reproduce each relief by drawing it 10 s after the end of the exploration. The relationship between mean theta power and mean exploration time was analysed using a regression model. A linear relationship was found between the exploration time and theta power over fronto-central regions (Fp1, Fp2, F3, F7, F8, Fz, C3) directly before the recall of the relief. This result is interpreted in favour of the hypothesis that fronto-central theta power of the EEG correlates with the load of working memory independent of stimulus modality.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Memory, Short-Term
  • Mental Recall / physiology*
  • Regression Analysis
  • Theta Rhythm*
  • Time Factors
  • Touch / physiology*
  • Visual Perception / physiology*