title: The K-complex and slow oscillation in terms of a mean-field cortical model.
abstract: We use a mean-field macrocolumn model of the cerebral cortex to offer an interpretation of the K-complex of the electroencephalogram to complement those of more detailed neuron-by-neuron models. We interpret the K-complex as a momentary excursion of the cortex from a stable low-firing state to an unstable high-firing state, and hypothesize that the related slow oscillation can be considered as the periodic oscillation between two meta-stable solutions of the mean-field model. By incorporating a Hebbian-style learning rule that links the growth in synapse strength to fluctuations in soma potential, we demonstrate a self-organization behaviour that draws the modelled cortex close to the edge of stability of the low-firing state. Furthermore, a very slow oscillation can occur in the excitability of the cortex that has similarities with the infra-slow oscillation of sleep.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Electronic Engineering, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand. m.wilson@waikato.ac.nz
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Steyn-Ross
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Sleigh
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Steyn-Ross
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Wilcocks
authors.forename: I P
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Gillies
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D008954:Models, Biological; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology