Open AccessNeural gain control measured through cortical gamma oscillations is associated with sensory sensitivity
Author(s) -
Orekhova Elena V.,
Stroganova Tatiana A.,
Schneiderman Justin F.,
Lundström Sebastian,
Riaz Bushra,
Sarovic Darko,
Sysoeva Olga V.,
Brant Georg,
Gillberg Christopher,
Hadjikhani Nouchine
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
human brain mapping
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.005
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1097-0193
pISSN - 1065-9471
DOI - 10.1002/hbm.24469
Subject(s) - neuroscience , sensory system , excitatory postsynaptic potential , visual cortex , stimulation , transcranial magnetic stimulation , psychology , neurotypical , inhibitory postsynaptic potential , physics , autism , developmental psychology , autism spectrum disorder
Gamma oscillations facilitate information processing by shaping the excitatory input/output of neuronal populations. Recent studies in humans and nonhuman primates have shown that strong excitatory drive to the visual cortex leads to suppression of induced gamma oscillations, which may reflect inhibitory‐based gain control of network excitation. The efficiency of the gain control measured through gamma oscillations may in turn affect sensory sensitivity in everyday life. To test this prediction, we assessed the link between self‐reported sensitivity and changes in magneto‐encephalographic gamma oscillations as a function of motion velocity of high‐contrast visual gratings. The induced gamma oscillations increased in frequency and decreased in power with increasing stimulation intensity. As expected, weaker suppression of the gamma response correlated with sensory hypersensitivity. Robustness of this result was confirmed by its replication in the two samples: neurotypical subjects and people with autism, who had generally elevated sensory sensitivity. We conclude that intensity‐related suppression of gamma response is a promising biomarker of homeostatic control of the excitation–inhibition balance in the visual cortex.