Spatial-temporal analysis of neural desynchronization in sleep-like states reveals critical dynamics

TL;DR

This study investigates the dynamic neural activity during sleep-like states in mice, revealing heterogeneous transient desynchronization events that resemble critical phase transitions, challenging the traditional view of sleep as a uniform brain state.

Contribution

It introduces a novel analysis of neural desynchronization heterogeneity during sleep-like states, highlighting critical dynamics and phase transition phenomena.

Findings

Transient neural desynchronization occurs heterogeneously across the cortex.

Desynchronization events resemble a critical spreading process.

Sleep states involve an 'edge-of-synchronization' phase transition.

Abstract

Sleep is characterized by non-rapid eye movement (nREM) sleep, originating from widespread neuronal synchrony, and REM sleep, with neuronal desynchronization akin to waking behavior. While these were thought to be global brain states, recent research suggests otherwise. Using time-frequency analysis of mesoscopic voltage-sensitive dye recordings of mice in a urethane-anesthetized model of sleep, we find transient neural desynchronization occurring heterogeneously across the cortex within a background of synchronized neural activity, in a manner reminiscent of a critical spreading process and indicative of an "edge-of-synchronization phase" transition.