Hippocampal sharp-wave ripples correlate with periods of naturally occurring self-generated thoughts in humans

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Core features of human cognition highlight the importance of the capacity to focus on information distinct from events in the here and now, such as mind wandering. However, the brain mechanisms that underpin these self-generated states remain unclear. An emerging hypothesis is that self-generated states depend on the process of memory replay, which is linked to sharp-wave ripples (SWRs), which are transient high-frequency oscillations originating in the hippocampus. Local field potentials were recorded from the hippocampus of 10 patients with epilepsy for up to 15 days, and experience sampling was used to describe their association with ongoing thought patterns. The SWR rates were higher during extended periods of time when participants' ongoing thoughts were more vivid, less desirable, had more imaginable properties, and exhibited fewer correlations with an external task. These data suggest a role for SWR in the patterns of ongoing thoughts that humans experience in daily life.

Source: Nature Communications

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48367-1

Authors: Takamitsu Iwata, Takufumi Yanagisawa, Yuji Ikegaya, Jonathan Smallwood, Ryohei Fukuma, Satoru Oshino, Naoki Tani, Hui Ming Khoo, Haruhiko Kishima

Institutions: The University of Osaka, The University of Tokyo, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Queen's University

Language: English

Topic: Memory and Neural Mechanisms

Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $6,790

Funders: Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, University of Tokyo, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Exploratory Research for Advanced Technology, Moonshot Research and Development Program

OpenAlex ID: W4398209529