EXPLORATIONS OF AUDITORY THETA RHYTHMS TO IMPROVE HUMAN COGNITION

36 pagesRecent research on improving human cognition has emphasized stimulation of the brain with sensory, electrical, or magnetic stimulation. This is done to improve disorders or enhance normal cognition. Auditory or electrical stimulation in the theta range (4-8 Hz) has been found in some studies to enhance memory and attention in typically developing young adults. The mechanism of this effect is unknown but may include changes in mood or motivation or more specific changes in underlying neural functions such as synaptic plasticity. My thesis tries to replicate these findings by comparing brief auditory stimulation with a control group of pink noise and examining the effects of theta on mood, attention, and memory. While my findings did not successfully replicate previous studies using auditory theta stimulation, I found significant correlations between mood and attention and mood and memory, supporting the body of evidence that mood impacts both working memory and attention. Further studies determining the effects of brief auditory theta entrainment on cognition are necessary to continue building the body of research about improving attention networks exogenously