Correlated neuronal activity and the flow of neural information

Nat Rev Neurosci. 2001 Aug;2(8):539-50. doi: 10.1038/35086012.

Abstract

For years we have known that cortical neurons collectively have synchronous or oscillatory patterns of activity, the frequencies and temporal dynamics of which are associated with distinct behavioural states. Although the function of these oscillations has remained obscure, recent experimental and theoretical results indicate that correlated fluctuations might be important for cortical processes, such as attention, that control the flow of information in the brain.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Attention / physiology
  • Biological Clocks / physiology
  • Cerebral Cortex / cytology
  • Cerebral Cortex / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Models, Neurological
  • Nerve Net / physiology*
  • Neurons / physiology*