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Normal and pathological oscillatory communication in the brain

Normal and pathological oscillatory communication in the brain The remarkable processing capabilities of the brain rely on efficient communication between the huge number of neurons and neuronal assemblies that constitute functionally specialized units. Abundant anatomical connections form the structural basis of communication. Functionally, the synchronization of oscillatory neuronal activity has increasingly been recognized as a mechanism for long-range communication. Studies of the insect olfactory system provide the most direct evidence that oscillatory communication is behaviourally relevant. These and other studies point towards several mechanisms that funtion on different spatial scales to support interneuronal communication. Filtering and resonance phenomena indicate the dependence of neuronal activity on the frequency content of the input. Specific structural connectivity underlies the emergence of particular network properties that facilitate specific computations by spatiotemporal patterns of excitation and inhibition. New analytical methods have allowed the non-invasive investigation of frequency-specific long-range communication in the human brain with magnetoencephalographic (MEG) recordings. Recent studies in humans and monkeys have provided new evidence for the physiological relevance of oscillatory synchronization in motor and cognitive functions. Synchronization in the beta frequency band seems to have a particularly important role in long-range communication. The functional relevance of desynchronization processes is also being increasingly recognized, and specific spatiotemporal patterns of synchronization desynchronization have been directly related to attentional processes and behavioural performance. In the human motor system, oscillations in the primary motor cortex modulate the firing rate of spinal motor neurons. This modulation is evident as oscillatory coupling between motor cortex activity and muscle activity. Electrophysiological recordings of basal ganglia-thalamocortical circuits in healthy monkeys, a monkey model of Parkinson's disease and patients with Parkinson's disease have provided new insights into the functional roles of oscillations and oscillatory synchronization in normal and disturbed motor behaviour. Specifically, enhanced beta and reduced gamma oscillations are associated with the poverty and slowness of movement that is characteristic of Parkinson's disease. In addition, tremor seems to arise from abnormal synchronization of oscillations in several cortical and subcortical brain areas. Chronic high-frequency deep brain stimulation, which can be delivered through electrodes that have been implanted in specific basal ganglia target structures, greatly improves motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease, probably through desynchronizing effects. Pathological changes in long-range synchronization are also evident in other movement disorders, as well as in neuropsychiatric diseases. Further work is needed to better understand the mechanisms that govern oscillatory communication and the consequences of disturbed communication. Hopefully, these studies will lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Nature Reviews Neuroscience Springer Journals

Normal and pathological oscillatory communication in the brain

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References (159)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © 2005 by Nature Publishing Group
Subject
Biomedicine; Biomedicine, general; Neurosciences; Behavioral Sciences; Biological Techniques; Neurobiology; Animal Genetics and Genomics
ISSN
1471-003X
eISSN
1471-0048
DOI
10.1038/nrn1650
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

The remarkable processing capabilities of the brain rely on efficient communication between the huge number of neurons and neuronal assemblies that constitute functionally specialized units. Abundant anatomical connections form the structural basis of communication. Functionally, the synchronization of oscillatory neuronal activity has increasingly been recognized as a mechanism for long-range communication. Studies of the insect olfactory system provide the most direct evidence that oscillatory communication is behaviourally relevant. These and other studies point towards several mechanisms that funtion on different spatial scales to support interneuronal communication. Filtering and resonance phenomena indicate the dependence of neuronal activity on the frequency content of the input. Specific structural connectivity underlies the emergence of particular network properties that facilitate specific computations by spatiotemporal patterns of excitation and inhibition. New analytical methods have allowed the non-invasive investigation of frequency-specific long-range communication in the human brain with magnetoencephalographic (MEG) recordings. Recent studies in humans and monkeys have provided new evidence for the physiological relevance of oscillatory synchronization in motor and cognitive functions. Synchronization in the beta frequency band seems to have a particularly important role in long-range communication. The functional relevance of desynchronization processes is also being increasingly recognized, and specific spatiotemporal patterns of synchronization desynchronization have been directly related to attentional processes and behavioural performance. In the human motor system, oscillations in the primary motor cortex modulate the firing rate of spinal motor neurons. This modulation is evident as oscillatory coupling between motor cortex activity and muscle activity. Electrophysiological recordings of basal ganglia-thalamocortical circuits in healthy monkeys, a monkey model of Parkinson's disease and patients with Parkinson's disease have provided new insights into the functional roles of oscillations and oscillatory synchronization in normal and disturbed motor behaviour. Specifically, enhanced beta and reduced gamma oscillations are associated with the poverty and slowness of movement that is characteristic of Parkinson's disease. In addition, tremor seems to arise from abnormal synchronization of oscillations in several cortical and subcortical brain areas. Chronic high-frequency deep brain stimulation, which can be delivered through electrodes that have been implanted in specific basal ganglia target structures, greatly improves motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease, probably through desynchronizing effects. Pathological changes in long-range synchronization are also evident in other movement disorders, as well as in neuropsychiatric diseases. Further work is needed to better understand the mechanisms that govern oscillatory communication and the consequences of disturbed communication. Hopefully, these studies will lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches.

Journal

Nature Reviews Neuroscience – Springer Journals

Published: Apr 1, 2005

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