Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
4350900 | Neuroscience Letters | 2006 | 4 Pages |
Abstract
It had been shown previously that a photic tetanus induces LTP-like changes in the visual cortex, as indexed by an enhancement of the N1b component of the visual evoked potential, recorded non-invasively by electroencephalography. This potentiation was shown to last over 1Â h. In the present study, the effect of a photic tetanus on oscillatory activity is investigated. EEGs were collected from eight healthy subjects in three conditions while visual checkerboards were displayed. Following baseline presentations in two conditions a lateralized visual tetanus was given, either to the left or right visual field, and in a third condition no tetanus was given. This was followed by a return to baseline presentations, both immediately after the tetanus/control block, and 1Â h later. Enhanced event-related desynchronization (ERD) of the alpha rhythm lasting 1Â h was seen following the photic tetanus over occipital electrodes. Because ERD of the alpha rhythm is thought to represent active cortex, these results suggest that the visual tetanus induces long-lasting cortical changes, with stronger neuronal assemblies and increased neuronal output.
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Authors
Wesley C. Clapp, Suresh D. Muthukumaraswamy, Jeff P. Hamm, Tim J. Teyler, Ian J. Kirk,