title: Reactivation of emergent task-related ensembles during slow-wave sleep after neuroprosthetic learning.
abstract: Brain-machine interfaces can allow neural control over assistive devices. They also provide an important platform for studying neural plasticity. Recent studies have suggested that optimal engagement of learning is essential for robust neuroprosthetic control. However, little is known about the neural processes that may consolidate a neuroprosthetic skill. On the basis of the growing body of evidence linking slow-wave activity (SWA) during sleep to consolidation, we examined whether there is 'offline' processing after neuroprosthetic learning. Using a rodent model, we found that, after successful learning, task-related units specifically experienced increased locking and coherency to SWA during sleep. Moreover, spike-spike coherence among these units was substantially enhanced. These changes were not present with poor skill acquisition or after control awake periods, demonstrating the specificity of our observations to learning. Notably, the time spent in SWA predicted the performance gains. Thus, SWA appears to be involved in offline processing after neuroprosthetic learning.
authors.affiliation: 1] Neurology and Rehabilitation Department, San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA. [2] Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.
authors.forename: Tanuj
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gulati
authors.affiliation: 1] Neurology and Rehabilitation Department, San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA. [2] Department of Psychiatry, San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA. [3] Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.
authors.forename: Dhakshin S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Ramanathan
authors.affiliation: 1] Neurology and Rehabilitation Department, San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA. [2] Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.
authors.forename: Chelsea C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: 1] Neurology and Rehabilitation Department, San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA. [2] Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.
authors.forename: Karunesh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ganguly
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008839:Microelectrodes; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D058117:Neural Prostheses / Q000592:standards; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D051381:Rats; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis