The theta oscillation (5–10 Hz) is a prominent behavior-specific brain rhythm. This review summarizes studies showing the multifaceted role of theta rhythm in cognitive functions, including spatial coding, time coding and memory, exploratory locomotion and anxiety-related behaviors. We describe how activity of hippocampal theta rhythm generators − medial septum, nucleus incertus and entorhinal cortex, links theta with specific behaviors. We review evidence for functions of the theta-rhythmic signaling to subcortical targets, including lateral septum. Further, we describe functional associations of theta oscillation properties − phase, frequency and amplitude – with memory, locomotion and anxiety, and outline how manipulations of these features, using optogenetics or pharmacology, affect associative and innate behaviors. We discuss work linking cognition to the slope of the theta frequency to running speed regression, and emotion-sensitivity (anxiolysis) to its y-intercept. Finally, we describe parallel emergence of theta oscillations, theta-mediated neuronal activity and behaviors during development. This review highlights a complex interplay of neuronal circuits and synchronization features, which enables an adaptive regulation of multiple behaviors by theta-rhythmic signaling.

θ振荡（5–10 Hz）是特定行为的重要脑节律。这篇综述总结了显示theta节律在认知功能中的多方面作用的研究，包括空间编码，时间编码和记忆，探索性运动和焦虑相关行为。我们描述了海马theta节律发生器的活动-内侧中隔，不活动核和内嗅皮层如何将theta与特定行为联系起来。我们审查的证据到皮层下的目标，包括外侧隔的theth节律性信号的功能。此外，我们描述了θ振荡特性（相位，频率和幅度）与记忆，运动和焦虑的功能关联，并概述了使用光遗传学或药理学对这些特征的操纵如何影响联想和先天行为。我们讨论了将认知与theta频率的斜率关联到跑步速度回归，并将情感敏感性（焦虑症）与其y截距联系起来的工作。最后，我们描述了theta振荡，theta介导的神经元活动和发育过程中行为的平行出现。这篇综述着重介绍了神经回路和同步功能之间的复杂相互作用，从而可以通过有节奏的节奏信号对多种行为进行自适应调节。