High-Frequency Components in the Alpha Band and Memory Performance

We tested the hypothesis that alpha band power is correlated with memory performance. For a sample of 68 subjects, the ongoing electroencephalogram (EEG) was analyzed during three experimental conditions: eyes closed (EC), eyes open (EO), and memorizing words. The results show that the upper alpha band of approximately 10-12 Hz is related to memory performance. Only within this frequency range did we obtain significant positive correlations between memory performance and EEG power. A comparison of power spectra showed that within the range of the upper alpha band good performers had significantly greater normalized percent power than bad memory performers. In contrast to condition EC, the obtained relationship between upper alpha power and memory performance was particularly strong during EO and memorizing words.