Rhythms of the brain

Gyorgy Buzsaki9780195301069, 9781423799931, 0195301064

Studies of mechanisms in the brain that allow complicated things to happen in a coordinated fashion have produced some of the most spectacular discoveries in neuroscience. This book provides eloquent support for the idea that spontaneous neuron activity, far from being mere noise, is actually the source of our cognitive abilities. It takes a fresh look at the co-evolution of structure and function in the mammalian brain, illustrating how self-emerged oscillatory timing is the brains fundamental organizer of neuronal information. The small world-like connectivity of the cerebral cortex allows for global computation on multiple spatial and temporal scales. The perpetual interactions among the multiple network oscillators keep cortical systems in a highly sensitive metastable state and provide energy-efficient synchronizing mechanisms via weak links. In a sequence of cycles, Gyorgy Buzsaki guides the reader from the physics of oscillations through neuronal assembly organization to complex cognitive processing and memory storage. His clear, fluid writing accessible to any reader with some scientific knowledge is supplemented by extensive footnotes and references that make it just as gratifying and instructive a read for the specialist. The coherent view of a single author who has been at the forefront of research in this exciting field, this volume is essential reading for anyone interested in our rapidly evolving understanding of the brain.

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Table of contents :
Contents……Page 16
CYCLE 1: Introduction……Page 20
CYCLE 2: Structure Defines Function……Page 46
CYCLE 3: Diversity of Cortical Functions Is Provided by Inhibition……Page 78
CYCLE 4: Windows on the Brain……Page 97
CYCLE 5: A System of Rhythms: From Simple to Complex Dynamics……Page 128
CYCLE 6: Synchronization by Oscillation……Page 153
CYCLE 7: The Brain’s Default State: Self-Organized Oscillations in Rest and Sleep……Page 192
CYCLE 8: Perturbation of the Default Patterns by Experience……Page 223
CYCLE 9: The Gamma Buzz: Gluing by Oscillations in the Waking Brain……Page 248
CYCLE 10: Perceptions and Actions Are Brain-State Dependent……Page 279
CYCLE 11: Oscillations in the “Other Cortex”: Navigation in Real and Memory Space……Page 294
CYCLE 12: Coupling of Systems by Oscillations……Page 351
CYCLE 13: Tough Problems……Page 374
References……Page 390
A……Page 450
B……Page 451
C……Page 452
D……Page 453
E……Page 454
G……Page 455
I……Page 456
L……Page 457
M……Page 458
O……Page 459
P……Page 460
R……Page 461
S……Page 462
V……Page 464
Z……Page 465