The gamma cycle.
Abstract
Activated neuronal groups typically engage in rhythmic synchronization in the gamma-frequency range (30-100 Hz). Experimental and modeling studies demonstrate that each gamma cycle is framed by synchronized spiking of inhibitory interneurons. Here, we review evidence suggesting that the resulting rhythmic network inhibition interacts with excitatory input to pyramidal cells such that the more excited cells fire earlier in the gamma cycle. Thus, the amplitude of excitatory drive is recoded into phase values of discharges relative to the gamma cycle. This recoding enables transmission and read out of amplitude information within a single gamma cycle without requiring rate integration. Furthermore, variation of phase relations can be exploited to facilitate or inhibit exchange of information between oscillating cell assemblies. The gamma cycle could thus serve as a fundamental computational mechanism for the implementation of a temporal coding scheme that enables fast processing and flexible routing of activity, supporting fast selection and binding of distributed responses. This review is part of the INMED/TINS special issue Physiogenic and pathogenic oscillations: the beauty and the beast, based on presentations at the annual INMED/TINS symposium (http://inmednet.com).
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Neural synchrony plays a key role in coordinating brain functions.
“Neural synchrony thus appears to play a key role in coordinating brain functions.”
From Synchrony in Psychotherapy: A Review and an Integrative Framework for the Therapeutic Alliance (2016) · cites this paper as Fries et al., 2007
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- Authors
- Fries, P., Nikolić, D., & Singer, W.
- Affiliations
- Radboud University Nijmegen (NL)
- Goethe University Frankfurt (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Fries, Pascal
- Venue
- Trends in Neurosciences
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2007-07
- Volume
- 30
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 309-316
- ISSN
- 0166-2236 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2116356678
- Cited by
- 1,044
- References
- 4
- Citations by year
- 2026: 17 · 2025: 25 · 2024: 32 · 2023: 32 · 2022: 43 · 2021: 50 · 2020: 55 · 2019: 43 · 2018: 50 · 2017: 56 · 2016: 54 · 2015: 49 · 2014: 60 · 2013: 75 · 2012: 79
- FWCI
- 5.98
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Trends in Neurosciences (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Radboud Repository (Radboud University) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- European Science Foundation
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural dynamics and brain function
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
- Keywords
- gamma oscillations, neuronal synchronization, inhibitory interneurons, excitatory drive, phase coding, temporal coding, pyramidal neurons, neural oscillations
- MeSH terms
- Action Potentials, Animals, Brain, Humans, Interneurons, Models, Neurological, Periodicity, Reaction Time, Neural Networks, Computer, Pyramidal Cells
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