Research › QEEG, Methods & Mechanisms
Changes in direct current (DC) potentials and infra‐slow EEG oscillations at the onset of the luteinizing hormone (LH) pulse
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Study at a glance
- Area
- QEEG, Methods & Mechanisms
- Study type
- Observational study
- Authors
- Marshall L, Mölle M, Fehm HL, Born J
- Journal
- European Journal of Neuroscience
- Year
- 2000
- Protocol
- DC potential and EEG recording during sleep with hormone sampling
Key findings
- LH pulse onset coincided with a transient positive DC shift at frontocortical sites lasting about 3 minutes, peaking near 50 microvolts
- Power of infra-slow EEG oscillations (periods of 64 to 320 seconds) rose at frontal and central sites
- Results indicate coupling between hypothalamo-pituitary secretion and neocortical excitability
Researchers recorded cortical direct current (DC) potentials and EEG in sleeping people while tracking blood levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), to test whether hormone release from the hypothalamus and pituitary is linked to activity in the cortex. Each LH pulse onset was accompanied by a brief positive DC shift over frontal cortex and a rise in infra-slow EEG oscillations. The authors conclude the results show a coupling between hypothalamo-pituitary activity and the regulation of cortical excitability.