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Abstract
Is an increase in theta during retrieval due (primarily) to the access of a stored
code or to more general processes? The electroencephalogram was recorded while subjects
performed a recognition task with pictures. According to the event-related desynchronization/synchronization
method, the percentage of band power changes was calculated during encoding and retrieval
for a theta and three alpha bands. Significant results were obtained (with minor exceptions)
only in the theta band. The increase in theta was significantly larger during retrieval
than during encoding but did not differ significantly between new and successfully
retrieved old pictures. Because a memory trace is lacking for new pictures, the increase
in theta during retrieval reflects primarily general processing demands of a complex
episodic memory system.