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NJIT Mathematical Biology Seminar
Note special time and location:
Tuesday, October 4, 2005, 3:00 pm
Aidekman Research Center, Seminar Room 103
Rutgers-Newark
(click above to see the campus map)
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Investigation of the intrinsic and synaptic properties of pacemaker neurons in an oscillatory neural network
Department of Biological Sciences
Rutgers-Newark
I examine the extent to which the output of pacemaker-driven oscillatory networks is shaped by the intrinsic and synaptic properties of pacemaker neurons using the rhythmically active crustacean pyloric network. Results revealed that, during voltage clamp experiments, electrical coupling recruits ionic currents and synaptic potentials from a neuron coupled to a voltage clamped neuron and that measurement errors are variable depending on gap junction position and current density. Second, a model was built to examine the identity and spatial distribution of ionic currents that underlie the distinct behaviors of electrically coupled but intrinsically distinct neurons. The model revealed important concepts regarding the oscillation range of a network of two intrinsically distinct or identical neurons. Third, the role of synaptic inputs from a pacemaker unit in setting the relative activity phase of two classes of follower neurons was investigated and determined to be minimal. Last, examination of the dynamics of the synapses efferent from two intrinsically distinct pacemaker neurons to the same classes of follower neurons revealed them to be distinct depending on presynaptic voltage waveform and cycle frequency. The insights gained from these results can be applied to the general understanding of how neural oscillations are generated and synchronized into coherent rhythmic activity.
Last Modified: Sep 16, 2005
Victor Matveev
m a t v e e v @ n j i t . e d u