NE35CH10-Buzsaki ARI 22 May 2012 13:18 Mechanisms of Gamma Oscillations Gyorgy¨ Buzsaki´ 1,2 and Xiao-Jing Wang3 1Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, New Jersey 07102 2The Neuroscience Institute, New York University, School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016; email:
[email protected] 3Department of Neurobiology and Kavli Institute of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520; email:
[email protected] Annu. Rev. Neurosci. 2012. 35:203–25 Keywords First published online as a Review in Advance on inhibitory interneurons, interneuronal network, excitatory-inhibitory March 20, 2012 loop, spike timing, dynamical cell assembly, irregular spiking, The Annual Review of Neuroscience is online at cross-frequency coupling, long-distance communication neuro.annualreviews.org This article’s doi: Abstract 10.1146/annurev-neuro-062111-150444 Gamma rhythms are commonly observed in many brain regions during Copyright c 2012 by Annual Reviews. both waking and sleep states, yet their functions and mechanisms remain All rights reserved a matter of debate. Here we review the cellular and synaptic mechanisms 0147-006X/12/0721-0203$20.00 underlying gamma oscillations and outline empirical questions and controversial conceptual issues. Our main points are as follows: First, gamma-band rhythmogenesis is inextricably tied to perisomatic inhibi- by New York University - Bobst Library on 03/16/13. For personal use only. tion. Second, gamma oscillations are short-lived and typically emerge Annu. Rev. Neurosci. 2012.35:203-225. Downloaded from www.annualreviews.org from the coordinated interaction of excitation and inhibition, which can be detected as local field potentials.