Rhythmic sensory stimulation as a noninvasive tool to study plasticity mechanisms in human episodic memory

Abstract

In recent years, research in animals has increasingly focused on understanding the role of precise neural timing in inducing synaptic plasticity (the strengthening or weakening of synaptic connections). Human episodic memory is thought to depend on such plasticity. Animal studies have provided valuable insights into mechanisms such as spike-timing-dependent plasticity and theta-phase-dependent plasticity, highlighting the importance of coordinated timing between neural inputs for synaptic changes to occur. Building upon these findings, recent studies employing rhythmic sensory stimulation and electromagnetic stimulation in humans have attempted to link these mechanisms to episodic memory formation. These studies have revealed that memory consolidation relies on the precise co-ordination of timing between neural inputs, particularly in the gamma and theta frequency ranges. This body of work represents a crucial bridge between our understanding of cellular-level mechanisms in animal models and the complex processes underlying human memory.