High-frequency components in the alpha band and memory performance

We tested the hypothesis that alpha band power is correlated with memory pe rformance. For a sample of 68 subjects, the ongoing electroencephalogram (E EG) was analyzed during three experimental conditions: eyes closed (EC), ey es open (EO), and memorizing words. The results show that the upper alpha b and of similar to 10-12 Hz is related to memory performance. Only within th is 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 t o condition EC, the obtained relationship between upper alpha power and mem ory performance was particularly strong during EO and memorizing words.