Before the task begins: linking resting-state gamma oscillations to face-name associative memory

Abstract Assessing associative memory, particularly in complex paradigms such as face-name association, enables monitoring of cognitive functioning. Electrophysiological correlates of associative memory could provide fundamental insights into the functional role of brain dynamics. This study explored whether resting-state EEG (rsEEG) spectral power and coherence were associated with performance on the Italian Face-Name Association Test (ItFNAT). Thirty-two healthy adults ( M age = 23.28) underwent an eyes-closed rsEEG recording before the administration of the ItFNAT, which provides scores for immediate recall (IR), delayed free recall (DFR), and delayed total recall (DTR). Frontal, temporal, central and posterior rsEEG spectral power density and theta and gamma network coherence were analyzed in relation to the test scores. High-gamma power (h-γ, 51–100 Hz) was significantly associated with DTR performance, explaining approximately 38% of the adjusted variance. Frontal and temporal h-γ power were positively associated with DTR performance, whereas posterior h-γ power showed a negative association. Furthermore, low-gamma coherence (l-γ, 30–49 Hz) showed trend-wise negative associations with delayed-recall performance. Spontaneous gamma activity showed region-specific associations with face-name memory performance in healthy adults, involving frontal, temporal, and posterior regions. This regional pattern may represent a neurophysiological correlate of individual differences in associative memory retrieval.