A frequency band analysis of two-year-olds’ memory processes

Research on the functional meaning of EEG frequency bands during memory processing has only examined two developmental periods: infancy and from late childhood to adulthood. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in EEG power for three toddler EEG frequency bands (3–5 Hz, 6–9 Hz, 10–12 Hz) during a verbal recall task. To this end, we asked three questions: (a) Which frequency band(s) discriminate baseline from memory processing?; (b) Which frequency band(s) differentiate between memory encoding and retrieval processes?; (c) Which frequency band(s) distinguish toddlers with high and low verbal recall performance? Analysis of 2-year-olds’ (n = 79) power values revealed that all three frequency bands differentiated the retrieval and encoding phases from the baseline phase; however, the particular regions that exhibited this dissociation varied. Retrieval-related increases in 3–5 Hz (theta) power were widespread. Only the 3–5 Hz and 6–9 Hz bands distinguished encoding and retrieval processes; retrieval power values were higher than encoding power values. High and low verbal recall performers were discriminated by all frequency bands; high performers had greater power values than low performers. Thus, the 3–5 Hz (theta) and 6–9 Hz (alpha) bands were most informative about 2-year-olds’ memory processes. Theta and alpha rhythms are critical to memory processes during late childhood and adulthood, and our findings provide initial evidence that these rhythms are also intricately linked to memory processing during toddlerhood. These findings are discussed in relation to behavioral changes in memory processes.

► Two-year-olds participated in a three-item immediate verbal recall task.
► Toddlers exhibited encoding-related increases in 3–5, 6–9, and 10–12 Hz EEG power.
► Toddlers exhibited retrieval-related increases in 3–5, 6–9, and 10–12 Hz EEG power.
► The 3–5 and 6–9 Hz bands differentiated toddlers’ encoding and retrieval processes.
► The 3–5, 6–9, and 10–12 Hz toddler bands discriminated high/low memory performers.