Burst Spiking of a Single Cortical Neuron Modifies Global Brain State
Cheng-yu T. Li,1,2
Mu-ming Poo,1
Yang Dan1,2,*
Different global patterns of brain activity are associated with
distinct arousal and behavioral states of an animal, but how
the brain rapidly switches between different states remains
unclear. We here report that repetitive high-frequency burst
spiking of a single rat cortical neuron could trigger a switch
between the cortical states resembling slow-wave and rapid–eye-movement
sleep. This is reflected in the switching of the membrane potential
of the stimulated neuron from slow UP/DOWN oscillations to a
persistent-UP state or vice versa, with concurrent changes in
the temporal pattern of cortical local field potential (LFP)
recorded several millimeters away. These results point to the
power of single cortical neurons in modulating the behavioral
state of an animal.
2 Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
* To whom the correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: ydan{at}berkeley.edu
