Variations of membrane potential and EEG during sleep

(Duration of EEG samples: 1 second)

THALAMOCORTICAL
NEURON

EEG PATTERN

NONREM SLEEP

medium hyperpolarization


spindles

superficial

large hyperpolarization


slow waves

deep

The degree of hyperpolarization determines the type of variation in thalamocortical neurons.

These are associated with the sleep EEG pattern.

Ref.: Steriade et al. (1994)

 

 

 

©1998 BITS OF SLEEP (Demo) : The brain in sleep: Thalamocortical system.