Mechanisms of Gamma Oscillations

By György Buzsáki, Xiao-Jing Wang. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 2012

2,641 citations recorded by the source corpus.

Gamma rhythms are commonly observed in many brain regions during both waking and sleep states, yet their functions and mechanisms remain a matter of debate. Here we review the cellular and synaptic mechanisms underlying gamma oscillations and outline empirical questions and controversial conceptual issues. Our main points are as follows: First, gamma-band rhythmogenesis is inextricably tied to perisomatic inhibition. Second, gamma oscillations are short-lived and typically emerge from the coordinated interaction of excitation and inhibition, which can be detected as local field potentials. Third, gamma rhythm typically concurs with irregular firing of single neurons, and the network frequency of gamma oscillations varies extensively depending on the underlying mechanism. To document gamma oscillations, efforts should be made to distinguish them from mere increases of gamma-band power and/or increased spiking activity. Fourth, the magnitude of gamma oscillation is modulated by slower rhythms. Such cross-frequency coupling may serve to couple active patches of cortical circuits. Because of their ubiquitous nature and strong correlation with the “operational modes” of local circuits, gamma oscillations continue to provide important clues about neuronal population dynamics in health and disease.

Subfields: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, Cognitive Neuroscience

View Paper: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/5a3af7e357aac959acf67c651c19f23378d025ff

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Citations in the corpus

Local Field Potentials: Myths and Misunderstandings (2016, background): “A paradigmatic case that has been rapidly assimilated is the widespread belief that gamma oscillations are inhibitory (Buzsáki and Wang, 2012).”
Rhythms For Cognition: Communication Through Coherence (2015, positive): “During the gamma cycle, excitatory neurons trigger local inhibitory neurons within about 3 ms (Buzsáki and Wang, 2012; Csicsvari et al., 2003; Fries et al., 2007; Hasenstaub et al., 2005; Salkoff et al., 2015; Vinck et al., 2013).”
The Theta-Gamma Neural Code (2013, positive): “…M anuscript N IH -PA Author M anuscript N IH -PA Author M anuscript Gamma oscillations are generated by a feedback loop in which firing of pyramidal cells excites fast-spiking interneurons, which then rapidly inhibit the entire population of pyramidal cells (reviewed in (Buzsáki and Wang, 2012).”
Cognitive impairment in schizophrenia: aetiology, pathophysiology, and treatment (2023, neutral): “4) [232, 233].”