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The Subthalamic Nucleus ; Part II : Modelling and Simulation of Activity
Part II starts with a systemic model of the basal ganglia to evaluate the position of the STN in the direct, indirect and hyperdirect pathways. STN cell models: single and multi compartment, and system level models are discussed in relation to subthalamic function and dysfunction.
Synaptic Plasticity and Transsynaptic Signaling
Brain functions are realized by the activity of neuronal networks composed of a huge number of neurons. The efficiency of information transfer within the networks is changeable. Even the networks themselves can change through experience. Information transfer between neurons is performed at the synapse (the site of the neurons’ contact) by release of neurotransmitters from the pre-synaptic cell and capture of neurotransmitters by the post-synaptic cell. The amount of released neurotransmitter or the efficacy of capture can change. Moreover, synapses are found to be newly formed upon activity or abandoned upon inactivity. These changes are called "synaptic plasticity". This text focuses on one component of synaptic plasticity called transsynaptic signaling, or communication of synapses during their formation.
Smart medical laboratory
"One of the most popular terms associated with advanced technological development in any field today, is the word ‘smart’. With the great development that has affected neuronal networks and artificial intelligence in recent years and the revolution in computer vision and detection technologies. And advances in modern technologies such as laptop and mobile with most people and its widespread availability and the Internet has become almost everywhere. It became necessary to modernize the medical laboratories and integrate medicine with technology. Therefore, we proposed this project to start developing disease diagnosis techniques through magnetic resonance imaging, cancerous block detection and CBC blood analysis through computer vision algorithms and artificial intelligence techniques, and this leads to reduced human intervention in these tasks and reduces errors that can occur when diagnosing.
Axon growth and guidance
The complexarchitectureofneuronal networks togetherwith the extraordinary associated functions make the nervous system a fascinating biological structure. The considerable work performed to explore this cellular machinery is nowadays successfulbecause the mysteryofnervous system developmentisbeing unravelled. As described in their outstanding review published 10 years ago in Science.' Marc Tessier-Lavigne and Corey Goodman-the pioneers of the molecular era of axon guidance-summarized the assembly of nervous system connections as a subtle game of attraction and repulsion of neuronal growth cones. The cellular ballet ensuring the formation of billions of synapses, which ultimately gives rise to the highest cognitive functions, is primarily orchestrated by a step-by-step mechanism of growth driven by multiple molecular cues. While our general concept of axon guidance remains identical, a profound evolution ofour knowledge ofthe molecular identityofthe guidance cues together with their interactions and signalling pathways occurred over the past ten years.
