The present study aimed at inspecting the neural signatures of picture-naming retrieval of different semantic categories depending on their memory requirements. Although retrieving proper names (i.e., “Madonna”) is known to be more challenging than retrieving common names (i.e., “apple”), the ability to retrieve names of places is less studied. Moreover, the oscillatory patterns of naming retrieval remain unexplored. Previous studies evidenced dissociating activity of Theta and Alpha oscillations functionally related to the level of episodic and semantic memory requirements. Theta power increases in episodic recognition while Alpha power is suppressed in response to semantic processing. In the current study participants performed a picture-naming task manipulated by well-known categories (known-object x known-people x known-place). EEG activity was recorded, and the oscillatory activity was extracted. Results showed a clear dissociation of Theta and Alpha power across common and proper names categories. Importantly, places differed from people in the dynamic distribution of oscillatory power in time, with longer and sustained amplitudes in Theta and Alpha, attributed to the increased contextual requirements of topographical information that recruit a more complex route to be processed.

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naming retrieval,people,objects,places,oscillatory activity,Theta-band,Alpha-band

• Health Sciences - Medical and Health Sciences
• Psychology - Social Sciences