Episodic sequence memory is supported by a theta-gamma phase code
Open accessAbstract
The meaning we derive from our experiences is not a simple static extraction of the elements but is largely based on the order in which those elements occur. Models propose that sequence encoding is supported by interactions between high- and low-frequency oscillations, such that elements within an experience are represented by neural cell assemblies firing at higher frequencies (gamma) and sequential order is encoded by the specific timing of firing with respect to a lower frequency oscillation (theta). During episodic sequence memory formation in humans, we provide evidence that items in different sequence positions exhibit greater gamma power along distinct phases of a theta oscillation. Furthermore, this segregation is related to successful temporal order memory. Our results provide compelling evidence that memory for order, a core component of an episodic memory, capitalizes on the ubiquitous physiological mechanism of theta-gamma phase-amplitude coupling.
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Abrupt changes in stimulus features and/or task goals produce separation in memory.
“In particular, inducing abrupt changes in stimulus features and/or task goals creates separation in memory [19,23–25].”
From Does mental context drift or shift? (2017) · cites this paper as [25]
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References 58 · Cited by 290
- Authors
- Heusser, A. C., Poeppel, D., Ezzyat, Y., & Davachi, L.
- Affiliations
- New York University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Heusser, Andrew C
- Davachi, Lila
- Venue
- Nature Neuroscience
- Published
- 2016-08-29
- Volume
- 19
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 1374-1380
- ISSN
- 1097-6256 (ISSN-L)
- 1546-1726
- PMC
- PMC5039104
- OpenAlex
- W2516799295
- Cited by
- 290
- References
- 58
- Citations by year
- 2026: 25 · 2025: 25 · 2024: 36 · 2023: 26 · 2022: 28 · 2021: 25 · 2020: 28 · 2019: 27 · 2018: 33 · 2017: 33 · 2016: 4
- FWCI
- 20.58
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Nature Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- MPG.PuRe (Max Planck Society) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute of Mental Health (R01MH074692)
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (R01DC005660)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
- Keywords
- episodic memory, sequence memory, temporal order memory, theta oscillations, gamma oscillations, phase-amplitude coupling, high-frequency oscillations, memory encoding
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Female, Humans, Male, Models, Neurological, Theta Rhythm, Time Factors, Magnetoencephalography, Young Adult, Memory, Episodic, Gamma Rhythm
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