An Oscillatory Hierarchy Controlling Neuronal Excitability and Stimulus Processing in the Auditory Cortex

1 Cognitive Neuroscience and Schizophrenia Program, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, New York; 2 Institute for Psychology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary; 3 Computational Sciences Division, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Califo...

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Published in:Journal of neurophysiology 2005-09, Vol.94 (3), p.1904-1911
Main Authors: Lakatos, Peter, Shah, Ankoor S, Knuth, Kevin H, Ulbert, Istvan, Karmos, George, Schroeder, Charles E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acoustic Stimulation - methods
Animals
Auditory Cortex - cytology
Auditory Cortex - physiology
Auditory Perception - physiology
Brain Mapping
Cortical Synchronization
Evoked Potentials, Auditory - physiology
Macaca
Macaca mulatta
Male
Neurons - physiology
Spectrum Analysis
Time Factors
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Summary:1 Cognitive Neuroscience and Schizophrenia Program, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, New York; 2 Institute for Psychology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary; 3 Computational Sciences Division, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California; and 4 Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York Submitted 11 March 2005; accepted in final form 6 May 2005 EEG oscillations are hypothesized to reflect cyclical variations in the neuronal excitability, with particular frequency bands reflecting differing spatial scales of brain operation. However, despite decades of clinical and scientific investigation, there is no unifying theory of EEG organization, and the role of ongoing activity in sensory processing remains controversial. This study analyzed laminar profiles of synaptic activity [current source density CSD] and multiunit activity (MUA), both spontaneous and stimulus-driven, in primary auditory cortex of awake macaque monkeys. Our results reveal that the EEG is hierarchically organized; delta (1–4 Hz) phase modulates theta (4–10 Hz) amplitude, and theta phase modulates gamma (30–50 Hz) amplitude. This oscillatory hierarchy controls baseline excitability and thus stimulus-related responses in a neuronal ensemble. We propose that the hierarchical organization of ambient oscillatory activity allows auditory cortex to structure its temporal activity pattern so as to optimize the processing of rhythmic inputs. Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: C. E. Schroeder, Cognitive Neuroscience and Schizophrenia Program, Nathan Kline Inst., Orangeburg, NY 10962 (E-mail: schrod{at}nki.rfmh.org )
ISSN:0022-3077
1522-1598
DOI:10.1152/jn.00263.2005