The human claustrum tracks slow waves during sleep.

Slow waves are a distinguishing feature of non-rapid-eye-movement (NREM) sleep, an evolutionarily conserved process critical for brain function. Non-human studies suggest that the claustrum, a small subcortical nucleus, coordinates slow waves. We show that, in contrast to neurons from other brain regions, claustrum neurons in the human brain increase their spiking activity and track slow waves during NREM sleep, suggesting that the claustrum plays a role in coordinating human sleep architecture. The role of the human claustrum during slow wave sleep is unknown. Here the authors characterize the spiking activity of claustrum neurons in humans and demonstrate that claustrum neurons track slow waves during NREM sleep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]