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Complexity of cortical wave patterns of the wake mouse cortex
Yuqi Liang1, Junhao Liang1, Chenchen Song2
1Department of Physics, Centre for Nonlinear Studies and Beijing-Hong Kong-Singapore Joint Centre for Nonlinear and Complex Systems (Hong Kong), Institute of Computational and Theoretical Studies, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong.
Brain activity shifts from large-scale waves to local complexity during wakefulness. This transition enhances the cortex's ability to integrate information, improving cognitive function.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Computational Neuroscience
- Systems Neuroscience
Background:
- Cortical activity exhibits complex spatiotemporal dynamics across different brain states.
- The emergence of these activity patterns during varying levels of wakefulness is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolution of cortical wave patterns during the transition from anesthesia to wakefulness.
- To understand the mechanisms underlying changes in brain activity with increasing arousal.
Main Methods:
- High spatiotemporal resolution optical voltage imaging in mice transitioning from anesthesia to wakefulness (N=5) and in awake mice (N=4).
- Analysis of voltage wave patterns, including hemisphere-scale and local events.
- Recapitulation of experimental findings using a neural mass model.
Main Results:
- A reduction in hemisphere-scale voltage waves was observed as mice transitioned to wakefulness.
- An increase in local wave events and complexity was noted with increasing arousal.
- The neural mass model demonstrated that competition between global and local patterns, along with long-range connections, explains these observations.
Conclusions:
- The transition to wakefulness is characterized by a shift from global to local cortical activity patterns.
- These dynamic changes in brain activity may enhance the cortex's integrative processing capabilities.
- Competition between global and local dynamics is a key mechanism shaping cortical activity during arousal.
