Coupling between slow-waves and sharp-wave ripples organizes distributed neural activity during sleep in humans

Published: May 25, 2020, 8:01 p.m.

Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.05.24.113480v1?rss=1 Authors: Skelin, I., Zhang, H., Zheng, J., Ma, S., Mander, B. A., Kim Mcmanus, O., Vadera, S., Knight, R. T., McNaughton, B. L., Lin, J. J. Abstract: Hippocampal-dependent memory consolidation during sleep is hypothesized to depend on the synchronization of distributed neuronal ensembles, organized by the hippocampal sharp-wave ripples (SWRs, 80-150 Hz) and subcortical/cortical slow-waves (0.5-4 Hz). However, the precise role of SWR-slow-wave interactions in synchronizing subcortical/cortical neuronal activity is unclear. Here, we leverage intracranial electrophysiological recordings from the human hippocampus, amygdala, temporal and frontal cortices, to examine activity modulation and cross-regional coordination during SWRs. Hippocampal SWRs are associated with widespread modulation of high frequency activity (HFA; 70-200 Hz) a measure of local neuronal activation. This peri-SWR HFA modulation is predicted by the coupling between hippocampal SWRs and local subcortical/cortical slow-waves. Finally, local cortical slow-wave phase offsets during SWRs predicted functional connectivity between the frontal and temporal cortex. These findings suggest a selection mechanism wherein hippocampal SWR and cortical slow-wave synchronization governs the transient engagement of distributed neuronal populations supporting hippocampal-dependent memory consolidation. Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info