Infraslow oscillations modulate excitability and interictal epileptic activity in the human cortex during sleep

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2004 Apr 6;101(14):5053-7. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0305375101. Epub 2004 Mar 24.

Abstract

Human cortical activity has been intensively examined at frequencies ranging from 0.5 Hz to several hundred Hz. Recent studies have, however, reported also infraslow fluctuations in neuronal population activity, magnitude of electroencephalographic oscillations, discrete sleep events, as well as in the occurrence of interictal events. Here we use direct current electroencephalography to demonstrate large-scale infraslow oscillations in the human cortex at frequencies ranging from 0.02 to 0.2 Hz. These oscillations, which are not detectable in conventional electroencephalography because of its limited recording bandwidth (typical lower limit 0.5 Hz), were observed in widespread cortical regions. Notably, the infraslow oscillations were strongly synchronized with faster activities, as well as with the interictal epileptic events and K complexes. Our findings suggest that the infraslow oscillations represent a slow, cyclic modulation of cortical gross excitability, providing also a putative mechanism for the as yet enigmatic aggravation of epileptic activity during sleep.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cerebral Cortex / physiopathology*
  • Electroencephalography
  • Epilepsy / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged