Interhemispheric correlations of slow spontaneous neuronal fluctuations revealed in human sensory cortex

Yuval Nir, Roy Mukamel, Ilan Dinstein, Eran Privman, Michal Harel, Lior Fisch, Hagar Gelbard-Sagiv, Svetlana Kipervasser, Fani Andelman, Miri Y. Neufeld, Uri Kramer, Amos Arieli, Itzhak Fried, Rafael Malach

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

387 Scopus citations

Abstract

Animal studies have shown robust electrophysiological activity in the sensory cortex in the absence of stimuli or tasks. Similarly, recent human functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) revealed widespread, spontaneously emerging cortical fluctuations. However, it is unknown what neuronal dynamics underlie this spontaneous activity in the human brain. Here we studied this issue by combining bilateral single-unit, local field potentials (LFPs) and intracranial electrocorticography (ECoG) recordings in individuals undergoing clinical monitoring. We found slow (<0.1 Hz, following 1/f-like profiles) spontaneous fluctuations of neuronal activity with significant interhemispheric correlations. These fluctuations were evident mainly in neuronal firing rates and in gamma (40-100 Hz) LFP power modulations. Notably, the interhemispheric correlations were enhanced during rapid eye movement and stage 2 sleep. Multiple intracranial ECoG recordings revealed clear selectivity for functional networks in the spontaneous gamma LFP power modulations. Our results point to slow spontaneous modulations in firing rate and gamma LFP as the likely correlates of spontaneous fMRI fluctuations in the human sensory cortex.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1100-1108
Number of pages9
JournalNature Neuroscience
Volume11
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Sep 2008
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Interhemispheric correlations of slow spontaneous neuronal fluctuations revealed in human sensory cortex'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this