Dynamics of spontaneous local field potentials in the anterior claustrum of freely moving rats

The functions of the claustrum are not well understood. Few studies explore its electrophysiological properties in awake animals. Here, we address this lacuna by recording spontaneous local field potential (LFP) activity in the anterior claustrum of rats freely exploring open field environments under differing conditions (light; dark; with, without an object present). We found three peaks in the LFP power spectral density (PSD) at 1–4 Hz, 4–7 Hz and 8–12 Hz. Two of those peaks, in the 1–4 Hz and 8–12 Hz bands, were present in almost all recordings and dominated the power spectrum. The power or frequency of detected peaks in some cases changed depending on the environmental context. The power of detected frequency bands of spontaneous LFPs showed varied patterns of distribution across the experimental arena. The 8–12 Hz band was predominantly found at running speeds of up to 6 cm/s. We suggest that spontaneous LFP activity in the anterior claustrum depends on the environmental context and running speed of the animal.