Visual Experience Sparks Brain Oscillations: the Origin of Theta Rhythms
12-10-2024
A research team at Purdue University, led by Alexander Chubykin, associate professor of biological sciences, has discovered how visual experiences influence brain activity in lasting ways. Their study, published in Current Biology, focuses on theta oscillations—patterns of rhythmic brain activity—that play a key role in recognizing familiar visual experiences.
How Visual Experience Shapes Brain Activity
When the brain encounters familiar visuals, it generates theta oscillations in the primary visual cortex (V1). These patterns of rhythmic activity are thought to help the brain identify and process visual familiarity.
To understand where these rhythms originate, the research team studied various regions of the brain associated with vision and memory. They found that these oscillations were not present in thalamic areas, which process sensory information, but were observed in specific regions connected to memory and visual processing.
Connections Within the Brain
The study revealed that theta oscillations are generated within the V1 itself. After repeated exposure to visual stimuli, communication between different parts of the V1 strengthened, suggesting the rhythms emerge from local brain activity.
Interestingly, the hippocampus, a region central to memory, also showed similar oscillatory activity. However, further experiments confirmed that the oscillations in the hippocampus and V1 were independent, indicating the two regions operate separately in generating these patterns while still working in sync.
Linking Visual Experience to Memory
The study also highlighted the role of other brain areas, such as the retrosplenial cortex, in processing and integrating visual experiences into memory. These regions show subtle but important changes in activity, likely supporting how the brain consolidates visual memories over time.
“This research helps us better understand how the brain processes and stores visual memories,” Chubykin said. “By exploring the way brain regions work independently yet in sync, we can uncover new insights into how memory functions.”
Looking Ahead
These findings open the door to future research on how visual information travels through the brain and shapes memory. They could also inform studies on memory-related conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease and autism, where disruptions in rhythmic brain activity are common.
The team’s work underscores Purdue University’s dedication to advancing neuroscience research and deepening our understanding of the brain’s intricate functions.
About the Department of Biological Sciences at Purdue University
Purdue Biological Sciences is the largest department in the Life Sciences at Purdue University. As part of Purdue One Health, we are dedicated to pioneering scientific discoveries and transformative education at the cutting edge of innovation. From molecules to cells, from tissues to organisms, from populations to ecosystems - we bring together multiple perspectives, integrating across biological scales to advance our understanding of life and tackle the world’s most pressing challenges. Learn more at bio.purdue.edu/.
Writer: Alisha Willett, areferda@purdue.edu
Source: Alexander Chubykin, chubykin@purdue.edu