Interindividual differences in alpha and theta power reflect memory performance

Author(s): Vogt, F., Doppelmayr, M.

Journal/Book: Intelligence. 1999; 27: 655 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10010, USA. Elsevier Science Inc. 347-362.

Abstract: Previous research from our laboratory has shown that phasic or event-related changes in alpha and theta band power are related to memory performance. In this study, we test the hypothesis, whether tonic or 'baseline' power too is related to memory performance. The ongoing EEG was analyzed for a sample of 60 subjects during five experimental conditions: eyes closed, eyes open, memorizing words and counting backward in steps of 3 and 7. The results show that subjects with good memory performance have significantly larger upper alpha, but less theta and lower alpha power. In contrast to memory, good calculation performers have more beta and theta power than bad performers. These findings were obtained during actual task performance, but in a similar way also during the resting conditions eyes closed and open.

Note: Article Klimesch W, Salzburg Univ, Inst Psychol, Dept Physiol Psychol, Hellbrunnerstr 34, A-5020 Salzburg, AUSTRIA

Keyword(s): EVENT-RELATED DESYNCHRONIZATION; ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE; SEMANTIC MEMORY; WORKING-MEMORY; BRAIN SIZE; BAND POWER; SCALP EEG; INTELLIGENCE; AGE; ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAM

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