When a person is relaxed and memory-related neurons in the brain are activated in synchronization with certain brain waves, is likely to form strong and lasting memories, scientists said on Wednesday.
U.S. researchers said their findings could help in developing new therapies for people with learning disabilities and some types of dementia.
“This study establishes a direct link between events in the brain circuitry (…) and its effects on human behavior,” said Eli Rutishauser, the California Institute of Technology, who worked on the study.
The timing of the brain is influenced by “theta waves” which are associated with relaxation, reverie, and dizziness with learning and memory formation, the scientists said the study published in the journal Nature.
Although scientists know that the best minds are relaxed new information, the study pointed to a new mechanism through which neurons of relaxation work together to improve memory.
“Our research shows that when memory-related neurons are well coordinated with theta waves during the learning process, the memories are strong,” said Adam Mandela, a neurosurgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
The team studied eight volunteers, who exhibited 100 pictures of a series of objects for a second. From 15 to 30 minutes later, they showed another 100 photos – 50 new and 50 of the first round – and asked them to recall what they had seen and were assured that their responses.
Using electrodes electroencephalogram (EEG, for its acronym in English), the team recorded the neuronal activity and electrical signals “background” regions of the brain where memory is formed.
They found that recognition was higher when the learning occurred while the neurons were activated while theta waves.
Most studies are theta waves in rats and only a few are performed in humans, in part because the EEG electrodes should be placed directly on the brain surface for accurate measurements.
