Analysis of the dynamics of cortical models with heterogeneous cell populations

• Grant number: 15/09916-3
• Support type: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)
• Effective date (Start): September 05, 2015
• Effective date (End): September 04, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Biomedical Engineering - Bioengineering
• Principal researcher: Antonio Carlos Roque da Silva Filho
• Grantee: Rodrigo Felipe de Oliveira Pena
• Supervisor abroad: Michael Zaks
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Research place: Humboldt University, Germany
• Associated to the scholarship: 13/25667-8 - Mechanisms of propagation of epileptiform activity in a large-scale cortical model, BP.DD

Abstract

The cerebral cortex is a complex system with characteristics that manifest at different spatial and temporal levels. It is a system composed of heterogeneous cell populations connected in a highly intricate way. Computer simulations of cortical network models combined with tools of mathematical analysis are contributing to improve our knowledge of the dynamical properties of the cortex. This project is devoted to the application of some analytical mathematical and statistical techniques to study simplified versions of a computer model of the cortex developed by the German and Brazilian groups. The objective is to gain a mathematical understanding of some phenomena observed in the computer simulations, which can be used to make educated predictions of new behavior that can be tested both via numerical simulations or experiments. The candidate will gain knowledge on analytical and numerical methods of approaching neuronal networks during his stay in Germany, which will be valuable to the continuation of his PhD project after his return and to his future career. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

TOMOV, PETER; PENA, RODRIGO F. O.; ROQUE, ANTONIO C.; ZAKS, MICHAEL A. Mechanisms of Self-Sustained Oscillatory States in Hierarchical Modular Networks with Mixtures of Electrophysiological Cell Types. FRONTIERS IN COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE, v. 10, MAR 23 2016. Web of Science Citations: 3.