Item

The K-complex and slow oscillation in terms of a mean-field cortical model

Abstract
We use a mean-field macrocolumn model of the cerebral cortex to offer an interpretation of the K-complex of the electroencephalogram to complement those of more detailed neuron-by-neuron models. We interpret the K-complex as a momentary excursion of the cortex from a stable low-firing state to an unstable high-firing state, and hypothesize that the related slow oscillation can be considered as the periodic oscillation between two meta-stable solutions of the mean-field model. By incorporating a Hebbian-style learning rule that links the growth in synapse strength to fluctuations in soma potential, we demonstrate a self-organization behaviour that draws the modelled cortex close to the edge of stability of the low-firing state. Furthermore, a very slow oscillation can occur in the excitability of the cortex that has similarities with the infra-slow oscillation of sleep.
Type
Journal Article
Type of thesis
Series
Citation
Wilson, M. T., Steyn-Ross, D. A., Sleigh, J. W. & Steyn-Ross, M. L. (2006). The K-complex and slow oscillation in terms of a mean-field cortical model. Journal of Computational Neuroscience, 21(3), 243.
Date
2006-12
Publisher
Springer New York LLC
Degree
Supervisors
Rights
Publisher version