title: Linking Sleep Slow Oscillations with consciousness theories: new vistas on Slow Wave Sleep unconsciousness.
abstract: We review current models of consciousness in the context of wakefulness and sleep. We show that recent results on Slow Wave Sleep, including our own works, naturally fit within consciousness models. In particular, Sleep Slow Oscillations, namely low-frequency (<1Hz) oscillations, contain electrophysiological properties (up and down states) able to elicit and quench neural integration during Slow Wave Sleep. The physiological unconsciousness related to the Sleep Slow Oscillation derives from the interplay between spontaneous or evoked wake-like activities (up states) and half-a-second's electrical silences (down states). Sleep Slow Oscillation induces unconsciousness via the formation of parallel and segregated neural activities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular and Critical Area Pathology, University of Pisa, via Savi 10, 56126, Pisa, Italy - Institute of Clinical Physiology, Research National Council, via Moruzzi 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy - Extreme Centre, Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Piazza Martiri della Libertà  33, 56127, Pisa Italy. Email: gemignan@dfb.unipi.it.
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gemignani
authors.forename: Danilo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Menicucci
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Laurino
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piarulli
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mastorci
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sebastiani
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Allegrini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D058256:Brain Waves; D003243:Consciousness; D006801:Humans; D012894:Sleep Stages