State-Dependent Modulation of Visual Evoked Potentials in a Rodent Genetic Model of Electroencephalographic Instability
Abstract
Despite normal sleep timing and duration, Egr3-deficient (Egr3-/-) mice exhibit electroencephalographic (EEG) characteristics of reduced arousal, including elevated slow wave (1-4 Hz) activity during wakefulness. Here we show that these mice exhibit state-dependent instability in the EEG. Intermittent surges in EEG power were found in Egr3-/- mice during wakefulness and rapid eye movement sleep, most prominently in the beta (15-35 Hz) range compared to wild type (Egr3+/+) mice. Such surges did not coincide with sleep onset, as the surges were not associated with cessation of electromyographic tone. Cortical processing of sensory information by visual evoked responses (VEP) were found to vary as a function of vigilance state, being of higher magnitude during slow wave sleep (SWS) than wakefulness and rapid eye movement sleep. VEP responses were significantly larger during quiet wakefulness than active wakefulness, in both Egr3-/- mice and Egr3+/+ mice. EEG synchronization in the beta range, previously linked to the accumulation of sleep need over time, predicted VEP magnitude. Egr3-/- mice not only displayed elevated beta activity, but in quiet wake, this elevated beta activity coincides with an elevated evoked response similar ...Continue Reading
References
Effects of sleep deprivation on extracellular serotonin in hippocampus and frontal cortex of the rat
Toll-like receptor 4 is a regulator of monocyte and electroencephalographic responses to sleep loss.
Visual sensory processing deficits in schizophrenia: is there anything to the magnocellular account?
Methods Mentioned
Software Mentioned
Related Concepts
Related Feeds
Barrel cortex
Here is the latest research on barrel cortex, a region of somatosensory and motor corticies in the brain, which are used by animals that rely on whiskers for world exploration.