Kaspar E. Vogt

Abstract Traditionally, the electroencephalogram (EEG) has been understood as arising from rhythmic neuronal oscillators with varying degrees of synchronisation. Alternative insights, however, highlight the arrhythmic nature of the EEG, primarily inferred from broadband properties like the ubiquitous 1/f spectrum.

Abstract While memory consolidation is widely believed to require memory reactivation synchronized with theta oscillations during REM sleep, direct causal evidence linking specific neuronal ensembles to this process has been lacking. Strong theta oscillations arise in the hippocampal dentate gyrus, where a small population of principal neurons is continuously generated throughout adulthood.

eLife Assessment This important study showing that sleep deprivation increases functional synapses while depleting silent synapses supports previous findings that excitatory signaling increases during wakefulness. This manuscript focuses in particular on AMPA/NMDA ratios.