Thalamic theta phase alignment predicts human memory formation and anterior thalamic

21 Previously we reported electrophysiological evidence for a role for the anterior thalamic 22 nucleus (ATN) in human memory formation (Sweeney-Reed et al. 2014). Theta-gamma 23 cross-frequency coupling (CFC) predicted successful memory formation, with the 24 involvement of gamma oscillations suggesting memory-relevant local processing in the ATN. 25 The importance of the theta frequency range in memory processing is well-established, and 26 phase alignment of oscillations is considered to be necessary for synaptic plasticity. We 27 hypothesized that theta phase alignment in the ATN would be necessary for memory 28 encoding. Further analysis of the electrophysiological data reveal that phase alignment in the 29 theta rhythm was greater during successful compared with unsuccessful encoding, and that 30 this alignment was correlated with the CFC. These findings support an active processing role 31 for the ATN during memory formation. 32 Builds upon 33 Corticothalamic phase synchrony and cross-frequency coupling predict human memory 34 formation. 35 Sweeney-Reed, C.M., Zaehle, T., Voges, J., Schmitt, F.C., Buentjen, L., Kopitzki, K., Esslinger, 36 C., Hinrichs, H., Heinze, H.-J., Knight, R.T., Richardson-Klavehn, A. 37 eLife 2014; 10.7554/eLife.05352#sthash.42zuzopN.dpuf 38 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.05352. 39