Generation of human EEG by a combination of long and short range neocortical interactions

Abstract

A theory of neocortical interactions is developed involving both local delays (PSP rise and decay times) and global delays due to finite velocity of action potentials in corticocortical fibers. The theory is based on plausible assumptions regarding input/output relations in neocortical columns and realistic neural parameters. The simultaneous existence of short wavelength waves propagating away from multiple epicenters and long wavelength standing waves due to global boundary conditions is predicted. Both phenomena appear to have dominant oscillation frequencies in the general range of observed EEG phenomena in humans. A mechanism by which removal of diffuse input from the reticular formation may cause an abrupt drop in EEG frequency (as in the transition from the awake to sleeping state) is postulated.