Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 30, 2026

Virtual Reality Experiments with Physiological Measures
Published on: August 29, 2018
Human theta oscillations exhibit task dependence during virtual maze navigation
M J Kahana1, R Sekuler, J B Caplan
1Volen Center for Complex Systems, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts 02454, USA. kahana@brandeis.edu
Abstract:
Theta oscillations (electroencephalographic activity with a frequency of 4-8 Hz) have long been implicated in spatial navigation in rodents; however, the role of theta oscillators in human spatial navigation has not been explored. Here we describe subdural recordings from epileptic patients learning to navigate computer-generated mazes. Visual inspection of the raw intracranial signal revealed striking episodes of high-amplitude slow-wave oscillations at a number of areas of the cortex, including temporal cortex. Spectral analysis showed that these oscillations were in the theta band. These episodes of theta activity, which typically last several cycles, are dependent on task characteristics. Theta oscillations occur more frequently in more complex mazes; they are also more frequent during recall trials than during learning trials.
Related Concept Videos
Gyroscope
Gyroscope: Precession
Oscillations about an Equilibrium Position
Torsional Pendulum
As long as the rigid body's angular displacement is small, its oscillation can be modeled as a linear angular oscillation. The amplitude of the oscillation is an angle. The role of mass is played by the...
Orthogonal Trajectories

