Cognitive functions like perception, attention, memory or language are based on highly parallel and distributed information processing by the brain. One of the major unresolved questions is how information can be integrated and how coherent representational states can be established in the distributed neuronal systems subserving these functions. It has been suggested that this so-called ‘binding problem’ may be solved in the temporal domain. The hypothesis is that synchronization of neuronal discharges can serve for the integration of distributed neurons into cell assemblies and that this process may underlie the selection of perceptually and behaviourally relevant information. Moreover, it has been suggested that fast oscillations at frequencies in the so-called gamma range (> 30 Hz) may help to entrain spatially separate neurons into synchrony and thus may indirectly promote the dynamic binding of neuronal populations. In accordance with these predictions, states characterized by synchronized gamma activity have been shown to be associated with functions like processing of coherent stimuli, perceptual discrimination, focused attention, short-term memory, or sensorimotor integration. Typically, the observed magnitude of gamma activity is positively correlated with increased ‘processing load’ and thus with the level of vigilance and attention, as well as with the difficulty or integrative nature of the processing. The talk will focus on the potential functional relevance of gamma oscillations for dynamic binding operations in sensory systems. The presentation will review experimental results, obtained in cats and humans, which support the notion that synchrony may indeed implement temporal binding and response selection. Moreover, data obtained in the mouse are discussed that shed light on potential mechanisms involved in the generation of synchronized gamma-band activity.