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The Rhythmic Slow Activity (Theta) of the Limbic Cortex: An Oscillation in Search of a Function

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Induced Rhythms in the Brain

Part of the book series: Brain Dynamics ((BD))

Abstract

The existence of a prominent electroencephalogram (EEG) activity within the theta frequency range (4–7 Hz) in the hippocampus has been one of the most studied rhythmic activities of the mammalian brain. However, in lower mammals the hippocampal EEG has a wider frequency range and may extend from 3 to 4 Hz up to 10 to 12 Hz. Therefore, it has become current practice to name this EEG activity Rhythmic Slow Activity (RSA), in order to avoid the term theta rhythm, which does not cover the entire frequency range within which the hippocampal EEG of lower animals may fall. Several reviews on RSA, particularly in relation to behavior, have appeared (Ishizuka et al., 1990; Komisaruk, 1977; Lopes da Silva and Arnolds, 1978; Robinson, 1980; Vanderwolf and Robinson, 1981). Robinson (1980) discussed in particular the influence of species differences on RSA. In this respect, a controversial point is whether hippocampal RSA occurs also in humans. Single cases have been reported in which hippocampal RSA was observed in man (Giaquinto, 1973), but Halgren et al. (1985) were not able to find RSA in recordings in humans. However, using spectral analysis, Arnolds et al. (1980) were able to demonstrate RSA in the hippocampus of epileptic patients. This RSA presented a dominant low frequency (about 3–4 Hz), which was modulated with behavior in a similar way as in lower mammals.

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Authors
  1. Fernando Lopes da Silva
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Physiology, Medical University Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, D-2400, Lübeck 1, Germany

    Erol Başar

  2. Department of Neurosciences, 0201, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA

    Theodore H. Bullock

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da Silva, F.L. (1992). The Rhythmic Slow Activity (Theta) of the Limbic Cortex: An Oscillation in Search of a Function. In: Başar, E., Bullock, T.H. (eds) Induced Rhythms in the Brain. Brain Dynamics. Birkhäuser, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-1281-0_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-1281-0_4

  • Publisher Name: Birkhäuser, Boston, MA

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