EEG oscillations at 600 Hz are macroscopic markers for cortical spike bursts

J Physiol. 2003 Jul 15;550(Pt 2):529-34. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2003.045674. Epub 2003 Jun 13.

Abstract

The human electroencephalogram (EEG) is generated predominantly by synchronised cortical excitatory postsynaptic potentials oscillating at frequencies <100 Hz. Unusually, EEG responses to electrical nerve stimulation contain brief bursts of high-frequency (600 Hz) wavelets. Here we show, in awake monkeys, that a subset of primary somatosensory cortex single units consistently fires both bursts and single spikes phase-locked to EEG wavelets. Spike bursts were also evoked by tactile stimuli, proving that this is a natural response mode. EEG wavelets at 600 Hz may therefore permit non-invasive assessment of population spike timing in human cortex.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cerebral Cortex / physiology*
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Electroencephalography*
  • Electromyography
  • Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory / physiology
  • Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / physiology
  • Macaca mulatta
  • Median Nerve / physiology
  • Physical Stimulation
  • Skin / innervation