theta rhythm

noun

, Physiology.

1. a pattern of brain waves having a regular frequency of 4 to 7 cycles per second as recorded by an electroencephalograph, observed during various states of light sleep or arousal.

Word History and Origins

Origin of theta rhythm¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

The firing patterns of place cells repeat about eight times per second in rats, forming what is called the theta rhythm.

From Scientific American

Using high-density sampling of LFP and computational methods, we show that the spatiotemporal structure of the theta rhythm can encode position as robustly as neuronal spiking populations.

From Science Magazine

When MEC neurons fire in grid patterns, the local network activity is dominated by the theta rhythm.

From Nature

The researchers believe the benefit stemmed from resetting the brain’s theta rhythm, altering the way large groups of cells involved in memory function work.

From BusinessWeek