Neural Circuits and Networks : Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Study Institute on Neuronal Circuits and Networks, Held at the Ettore Majorana Center, Erice, Italy, June 15–27 1997

This NATO volume presents an excellent overview of new and exciting results on neurons and neural nets, including - single cell properties such as ionic channels, sensory transduction, synaptic release; - the dynamics of neural networks and circuits; - and modeling the nervous system. The topics range from molecular neuroscience, plasticity, and development, to the experimental and theoretical analysis of neuronal assemblies such as the cerebellum, hippocampus, and cortex. The contributors present different approaches, from multi-electrode arrays to optical techniques, and the work presented is interdisciplinary, covering experimental and theoretical aspects of brain functions combining different techniques and methodologies. The book will interest neuroscientists, molecular biologists, physiologists, psychologists, and brain modelers as well as researchers in the area of Computational Intelligence. Front Matter....Pages I-VIII Front Matter....Pages 1-1 Modal gating of sodium channels and possible physiological lmplications on hereditary myopathies....Pages 3-19 c-Fos Protein and NADPH-Diaphorase Detection in Rat Midbrain and Spinal Cord After Contusion Injury....Pages 21-40 Fourier analysis applied to the study of the electrical activity of midbrain dopaminergic neurons....Pages 41-51 Regulation by Intracellular Calcium of the Activity of GABA A Receptors in Two Different Types of Neurons....Pages 53-69 Dynamics of Transmitter Release at CA3 Hippocampal Excitatory Synapses....Pages 71-83 Responses of Isolated Olfactory Sensory Neurons to Odorants....Pages 85-93 Front Matter....Pages 95-95 Long-Term Changes (LTC) of Evoked Field Potentials in the Amygdala: A Model of Emotional Memory....Pages 97-108 Role of Nitric Oxide on Emotional and Motor Behaviour....Pages 109-124 Multi-Site Recording of Neural Activity using Planar Electrode Arrays....Pages 125-132 Optical Insights Into Cerebellar Circuitry....Pages 133-140 Activity-dependent regulation of neuronal network excitability....Pages 141-151 Spatial and Temporal Regulation of BDNF Action in Synaptic Plasticity....Pages 153-167 Map projection rewiring in the adult cerebellum after lesions....Pages 169-185 Front Matter....Pages 187-187 Regulatory effects of long term biochemical processes in integrate-and-fire model neurons....Pages 189-204 A Formal Approach to the Translation of Cortical Maps....Pages 205-226 From Self-Organized Fluid Machines to Living Liquid Crystals....Pages 227-238 The Metric Content of Spatial Views as Represented in the Primate Hippocampus....Pages 239-247 Back Matter....Pages 248-248 The understanding of parallel processing and of the mechanisms underlying neural networks in the brain is certainly one of the most challenging problems of contemporary science. During the last decades significant progress has been made by the combination of different techniques, which have elucidated properties at a cellular and molecular level. However, in order to make significant progress in this field, it is necessary to gather more direct experimental data on the parallel processing occurring in the nervous system. Indeed the nervous system overcomes the limitations of its elementary components by employing a massive degree of parallelism, through the extremely rich set of synaptic interconnections between neurons. This book gathers a selection of the contributions presented during the NATO ASI School'Neuronal Circuits and Networks'held at the Ettore Majorana Center in Erice, Sicily, from June 15 to 27, 1997. The purpose of the School was to present an overview of recent results on single cell properties, the dynamics of neuronal networks and modelling of the nervous system. The School and the present book propose an interdisciplinary approach of experimental and theoretical aspects of brain functions combining different techniques and methodologies. The Understanding Of Parallel Processing And Of The Mechanisms Underlying Neural Networks In The Brain Is Certainly One Of The Most Challenging Problems Of Contemporary Science. During The Last Decades Significant Progress Has Been Made By The Combination Of Different Techniques, Which Have Elucidated Properties At A Cellular And Molecular Level. However, In Order To Make Significant Progress In This Field, It Is Necessary To Gather More Direct Experimental Data On The Parallel Processing Occurring In The Nervous System. Indeed The Nervous System Overcomes The Limitations Of Its Elementary Components By Employing A Massive Degree Of Parallelism, Through The Extremely Rich Set Of Synaptic Interconnections Between Neurons. This Book Gathers A Selection Of The Contributions Presented During The Nato Asi School Neuronal Circuits And Networks Held At The Ettore Majorana Center In Erice, Sicily, From June 15 To 27, 1997. The Purpose Of The School Was To Present An Overview Of Recent Results On Single Cell Properties, The Dynamics Of Neuronal Networks And Modelling Of The Nervous System. The School And The Present Book Propose An Interdisciplinary Approach Of Experimental And Theoretical Aspects Of Brain Functions Combining Different Techniques And Methodologies. Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Study Institute on Neuronal Circuits and Networks, held at the Ettore Majorana Center, Erice, Italy, June 15-27, 1997