A network model for activity-dependent sleep regulation

Abstract:

We develop and characterize a dynamical network model for activity-dependent sleep regulation. Specifically, in accordance with the activity-dependent theory for sleep, we view organism sleep as emerging from the local sleep states of functional units known as cortical columns; these local sleep states evolve through integration of local activity inputs, loose couplings with neighboring cortical columns, and global regulation (e.g. by the circadian clock). We model these cortical columns as coupled or networked activity-integrators that transition between sleep and waking states based on thresholds on the total activity. The model dynamics for three canonical experiments (which we have studied both through simulation and system-theoretic analysis) match with experimentallyobserved characteristics of the cortical-column network. Most notably, assuming connectedness of the network graph, our model pbkp_redicts the recovery of the columns to a synchronized state upon temporary overstimulation of a single column and/or randomization of the initial sleep and activity-integration states. In analogy with other models for networked oscillators, our model also pbkp_redicts the possibility for such phenomena as modelocking. ©2008 AACC.

Año de publicación:

2008

Keywords:

Fuente:

scopus