Association between theta-band resting-state functional connectivity and declarative memory abilities in children
Soléane Gander1,2, Coralie Rouge1,2, Anna Peiffer1,2
1Neuropsychology and Functional Neuroimaging Research Unit (UR2NF), Center for Research in Cognition & Neurosciences (CRCN), ULB Neurosciences Institute (UNI), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium.
Imaging Neuroscience (Cambridge, Mass.)
|August 13, 2025
Summary
Stronger resting-state theta-band brain connectivity in children supports declarative memory. This brain network organization at rest is crucial for forming new memories and cognitive development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Declarative memory formation depends on synchronized brain oscillations, particularly in the theta frequency band (4-8 Hz).
- The development of memory capacity is linked to resting-state functional network organization.
- The relationship between resting-state theta-band connectivity and declarative memory in children is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between resting-state functional connectivity and declarative memory performance in school-aged children.
- To explore which frequency bands (theta, alpha, beta) are most relevant to this association.
Main Methods:
- Magnetoencephalography (MEG) was used to measure resting-state functional connectivity.
- Declarative memory was assessed by recalling new associations between non-objects and magical functions.
- Power envelope correlation was employed to analyze functional connectivity across theta, alpha, and beta frequency bands.
Main Results:
- Stronger theta-band resting-state functional connectivity within occipito-temporo-frontal networks correlated with enhanced declarative memory retrieval.
- No significant correlations were found between declarative memory and resting-state functional connectivity in the alpha or beta frequency bands.
Conclusions:
- Resting-state functional brain architecture, particularly theta-band oscillations, supports declarative memory in children.
- This theta-band connectivity may facilitate the transformation of sensory input into visuo-semantic representations.
- Theta-band connectivity plays a critical role in early cognitive development and memory formation.
Keywords:
childhooddeclarative memorymagnetoencephalographyresting-state functional connectivitytheta oscillationsMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:18Long-Term Memory
252
Long-term memory is a relatively permanent type of memory, capable of storing vast amounts of information over extended periods. Its storage capacity is generally considered unlimited.
Long-term memory can be categorized into two primary types: explicit and implicit memory. Explicit memory, also known as declarative memory, involves the conscious recollection of information that we deliberately try to remember, recall, and articulate. This type of memory encompasses specific facts, events, and...
Long-term memory can be categorized into two primary types: explicit and implicit memory. Explicit memory, also known as declarative memory, involves the conscious recollection of information that we deliberately try to remember, recall, and articulate. This type of memory encompasses specific facts, events, and...
252
01:14Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory
575
The cerebellum, while traditionally associated with motor control, also plays a crucial role in memory, particularly in procedural memory, which involves learning motor tasks that become automatic through repetition. For example, studies have shown that when the cerebellum is damaged, individuals or animals lose the ability to learn conditioned motor responses, such as the conditioned eye-blink response in classical conditioning experiments with rabbits. This study demonstrates the...
575