Significance of local synchronization and oscillatory processes of thalamic neurons in goal-directed human behavior

Abstract

The time-frequency characteristics and interneuron interaction in the cell ensembles of non-specific (CM-Pf) and motor (Voi) thalamus were analyzed. Neuronal activity was registered by microelectrode technique during 18 stereotactic neurosurgery operations in spasmodic torticollis patients. The presentation of functionally significant verbal stimuli was accompanied by the emergence of short-term (0.5-1.5 s) local synchronization and stabilization of the oscillatory (3-6 Hz) activity in nearby neurons of nonspecific (CM-Pf) thalamus. These focuses of synchronized oscillatory neuronal activity were correlated with the moment of the greatest concentration of selective attention. Similar phenomenon of short-term synchronization was observed in the motor (Voi) and nonspecific (CM-Pf) thalamus of the human brain during the voluntary movements. Synchronization of neuronal activity occurred at the height of the motor act implementation, correlating with the maximum muscle tension, as well as in aftereffect of the voluntary movement. Overall, the findings suggest an important role of the local oscillations (3-6 Hz) and synchronization ofthalamic neurons in the mechanisms of relevant information transmission during goal-directed human behavior.