Year: 2022
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Episodic memories, or consciously accessible memories of unique events, represent a key aspect of human cognition. Evidence from rodent models suggests that the neural representation of these complex memories requires cooperative firing of groups of neurons on short time scales, organized by gamma oscillations. These co-firing groups, termed "neuronal assemblies," represent a fundamental neurophysiological unit supporting memory. Using microelectrode data from neurosurgical patients, we identify neuronal assemblies in the human MTL and show that they exhibit consistent organization in their firing pattern based on gamma phase information. We connect these properties to memory performance across recording sessions. Finally, we describe how human neuronal assemblies flexibly adjust over longer time scales. Our findings provide key evidence linking assemblies to human episodic memory for the first time.
Source: Nature Communications
Authors: Gray Umbach, Ryan Tan, Joshua Jacobs, Brad E. Pfeiffer, Bradley Lega
Language: English
Topic: Memory and Neural Mechanisms
Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $5,890
Awards: G7099352503, The Role of Place and Grid Cells in Human Spatial and Non Spatial Memory, Using deep brain stimulation of the parietal cortex to investigate the electrophysiology of human episodic memory, Behavioral and pharmacological manipulation of time cell activity in the human mesial temporal lobe
OpenAlex ID: W4306742437