Memory binding and theta EEG during middle childhood

Abstract

The ability to bind together the contextual details associated with an event undergoes dramatic improvement during childhood. However, few studies have examined the neural correlates of memory binding encoding and retrieval during middle childhood. We examined age‐related encoding and retrieval differences using continuous electroencephalogram (EEG) measures in a sample of 6‐ and 8‐year‐olds. For the memory binding task, children were tested on memory for individual items (i.e., objects and backgrounds only) and combined object–backgrounds pairings (combination condition). Memory for individual item information was comparable across both age groups. However, younger children experienced greater difficulty (i.e., higher false alarm rate) in the combination condition. Theta (4–7 Hz) neuronal oscillations were analyzed to compare memory encoding and retrieval processes. Widespread retrieval‐related increases in theta band EEG power (compared with baseline and encoding‐related activation) were evident in both 6‐ and 8‐year‐olds. Regression analyses revealed that parietal theta EEG power during retrieval accounted for variability in memory binding performance. These findings suggest that theta rhythms are intricately linked to memory binding processes during middle childhood.