up-state
A depolarized membrane potential state during slow-wave oscillations characterized by increased neural activity.
Full Definition
Up-states represent periods of sustained membrane depolarization that occur during slow-wave sleep and anesthesia as part of slow oscillations (<1 Hz). During up-states, neurons are closer to firing threshold and show increased spontaneous activity, while down-states are hyperpolarized periods of relative silence. This bistable pattern is generated by thalamocortical circuits and is crucial for memory consolidation during sleep. Up-states are extensively studied in sleep research and appear in literature on neural oscillations, memory, and consciousness.
Usage
Usage note: Always hyphenate; distinguish from general depolarization events by the context of slow oscillations.
In Context
- "Memory replay events occurred predominantly during cortical up-states." — Sleep research study
- "The duration of up-states was significantly reduced in the aging brain." — Aging neuroscience paper