The rhythm of learning: Theta oscillations as an index of active learning in infancy

Abstract

Highlights A novel, cutting-edge measure for studying active learning in infancy is introduced: theta oscillations. Theta rhythms are linked to expectation of information, memory, and reward processing, making it an ideal candidate for studying active learning. Existing evidence and potential applications of theta oscillations in research on infant active learning are discussed.

Clinical significance of electroencephalography power spectrum density and functional connection analysis in neonates with hypoxic‐ischemic encephalopathy

“…Theta rhythm in infancy is an indicator of active learning and memory (Begus & Bonawitz, 2020). Studies have shown that the connection between theta power recorded in the cerebral cortex and new information coding (Klimesch et al., 2008) is caused by cortical theta activity induced by cortical hippocampal feedback circuit, and theta rhythm (Lega et al., 2012) may also induce synaptic plasticity (Begus & Bonawitz, 2020).…”

“…Theta rhythm in infancy is an indicator of active learning and memory (Begus & Bonawitz, 2020). Studies have shown that the connection between theta power recorded in the cerebral cortex and new information coding (Klimesch et al., 2008) is caused by cortical theta activity induced by cortical hippocampal feedback circuit, and theta rhythm (Lega et al., 2012) may also induce synaptic plasticity (Begus & Bonawitz, 2020). In HIE term infants with selective neuronal damage, the cerebral cortical and hippocampal neurons are most vulnerable to damage, so the communication between the theta band cortex and hippocampus is blocked (Lega et al., 2012), which affects infants’ cognitive function such as memory and learning.…”

Young Infants Process Prediction Errors at the Theta Rhythm

“…In the brain of human adults, the theta rhythm has long been associated with the processing of prediction errors (Cavanagh et al, 2010), cognitive conflict (Hanslmayr et al, 2008), and mnemonic control (Friese et al, 2013; Köster et al, 2018). Furthermore, the theta rhythm has been associated with learning processes in children (Köster et al, 2017), and infants (Begus et al, 2015; Begus and Bonawitz, 2020). Our findings highlight that the theta rhythm promotes the processing of novel, unexpected information, in the sense of prediction errors, already in early infancy.…”

“…In a recent study, infants’ neural oscillatory dynamics were rhythmically entrained at 4 Hz or 6 Hz, and the presentation of unexpected events led to a specific increase in the entrained 4 Hz but not in the 6 Hz activity (Köster et al, 2019). Critically, 4 Hz oscillatory activity corresponds to the neural theta rhythm, a frequency which plays an essential role in prediction error processing in adults (Cavanagh and Frank, 2014) as well as learning processes in adults (Friese et al, 2013; Köster et al, 2018), children (Köster et al, 2017), and infants (Begus et al, 2015; Begus and Bonawitz, 2020). However, it has not been investigated how the ongoing oscillatory activity (i.e., not entrained or tightly locked to the stimulus onset) responds to unexpected events in the infant brain and, specifically, whether the ongoing theta rhythm marks infants’ processing of prediction errors.…”

“…The 3 – 8 Hz theta rhythm plays an essential role in prediction error processing (Cavanagh and Frank, 2014) as well as learning processes in adults (Friese et al, 2013; Köster et al, 2018), children (Köster et al, 2017), and infants (Begus et al, 2015; Begus and Bonawitz, 2020). In a recent study, infants’ neural oscillatory dynamics were rhythmically entrained at 4 Hz, and the presentation of unexpected events led to a specific increase in the entrained 4 Hz, which was not the case for the entrained 6 Hz activity (Köster et al, 2019).…”