Intrinsic Neural Oscillations Predict Verbal Learning Performance and Encoding Strategy Use

Abstract

Individuals adopt different encoding strategies to facilitate learning. However, few studies have investigated the neurophysiological basis that support these different encoding strategies across individuals. The present work addresses this gap by extending our previous findings on the direct relationship between cortical spectral power, measured via resting-state magnetoencephalography, and performance on standard cognitive test results. Our results highlight the complex interactions between endogenous brain oscillations, learning and verbal encoding strategies assessed by the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT-2). First, we found that resting-state theta oscillations were significantly associated with verbal learning and subjective clustering strategies. Second, we observed that semantic clustering is facilitated by oscillatory patterns in left sensory-motor brain regions. Finally, our analyses revealed that serial and semantic clustering strategies are related to opposite regression patterns, indicating a competitive interaction. Together, these findings provide novel insights into the neural oscillatory dynamics that support diverse encoding strategies in verbal learning.