On the ordered temporal structure of spontaneous activity in single neurons of the mouse auditory cortex
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33910/2687-1270-2025-6-3-321-328Keywords:
house mouse, auditory cortex, single neurons, spontaneous activity, temporal patternsAbstract
We analyzed the temporal structure of spontaneous spiking activity in single neurons of the mouse primary auditory cortex, focusing on the distribution of spikes over time. Recordings from all studied neurons revealed highly ordered spontaneous activity. This ordering manifested as spontaneous spikes organized into bursts of 4–9 spikes. The frequency of these spontaneous bursts ranged from 6 to 16 Hz, corresponding to the alpha frequency range of neocortical rhythmic activity. In most neurons, individual bursts further grouped into larger temporal patterns, which we term ‘hyperbursts’. Analysis of the variability and periodicity of these spontaneous discharge patterns revealed evidence of a periodic process. This periodicity may be significant given the role of spontaneous firing in establishing the excitatory-inhibitory balance within the auditory cortex, which is fundamental for shaping its response to sound. The article discusses the potential role of temporal structure in single-neuron spontaneous activity as a possible substrate for macroscopic neocortical rhythms.
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