Theta Oscillons in Behaving Rats

Authors

M S Zobaer
Nastaran Lotfi
Carli M Domenico
Clarissa Hoffman
Luca Perotti
Daoyun Ji
Yuri Dabaghian

Language

English

Publication Date

5-14-2025

Journal

The Journal of Neuroscience

DOI

10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0164-24.2025

PMID

40169263

PMCID

PMC12079740

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

4-1-2025

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Abstract

Recently discovered constituents of the brain waves—the oscillons—provide a high-resolution representation of the extracellular field dynamics. Here, we study the most robust, highest-amplitude oscillons recorded in actively behaving male rats, which underlie the traditional θ-waves. The resemblances between θ-oscillons and the conventional θ-waves are manifested primarily at the ballpark level—mean frequencies, mean amplitudes, and bandwidths. In addition, both hippocampal and cortical oscillons exhibit a number of intricate, behavior-attuned, transient properties that suggest a new vantage point for understanding the θ-rhythms’ structure, origins and functions. In particular, we demonstrate that oscillons are frequency-modulated waves, with speed-controlled parameters, embedded into a weak noise background. We also use a basic model of neuronal synchronization to contextualize and to interpret the oscillons. The results suggest that the synchronicity levels in physiological networks are fairly low and are modulated by the animal’s physiological state.

Keywords

Animals, Rats, Male, Theta Rhythm, Behavior, Animal, Hippocampus, Models, Neurological, Neurons

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Zobaer, M S; Lotfi, Nastaran; Domenico, Carli M; et al., "Theta Oscillons in Behaving Rats" (2025). Faculty and Staff Publications. 4921.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/baylor_docs/4921