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Human theta oscillations exhibit task dependence during virtual maze navigation

Abstract

Theta oscillations (electroencephalographic activity with a frequency of 4–8 Hz) have long been implicated in spatial navigation in rodents1,2,3,; however, the role of theta oscillators in human spatial navigation has not been explored. Here we describe subdural recordings from epileptic patients learning to navigate computer-generated mazes. Visual inspection of the raw intracranial signal revealed striking episodes of high-amplitude slow-wave oscillations at a number of areas of the cortex, including temporal cortex. Spectral analysis showed that these oscillations were in the theta band. These episodes of theta activity, which typically last several cycles, are dependent on task characteristics. Theta oscillations occur more frequently in more complex mazes; they are also more frequent during recall trials than during learning trials.

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Figure 1: Navigation of computer-rendered multiple T-junction mazes.
Figure 2: Theta oscillations revealed by intracranial EEG.
Figure 3: Electrode locations and task-dependent theta activity seen for all three subjects, shown on three diagrams of a standard brain.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by NIH. We thank J. Lisman for encouraging our search for theta; J. Lisman and O. Jensen for helpful discussions during the course of this research; and E. Tulving, E. Marder, L. Abbott and E. Menschik for helpful comments on a previous version of this manuscript. Weacknowledge the cooperation of colleagues in the Children's Hospital Epilepsy program including P.M. Black, B. Bourgeois, F. Duffy and L. Kull. Finally, we thank the patients and their families for their participation and support.

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Correspondence to Michael J. Kahana.

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Kahana, M., Sekuler, R., Caplan, J. et al. Human theta oscillations exhibit task dependence during virtual maze navigation. Nature 399, 781–784 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/21645

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