Spiking patterns and synchronization of thalamic neurons along the sleep-wake cycle.

Spiking patterns and synchronization dynamics of thalamic neurons along the sleep-wake cycle are studied in a minimal model of four coupled conductance-based neurons. The model simulates two thalamic neurons coupled via a gap junction and driven by a synaptic input from a two-neuron model of sleep regulation by the hypothalamus. In accord with experimental data, the model shows that during sleep, when hypothalamic wake-active neurons are silent, the thalamic neurons discharge bursts of spikes.