Principles of Operation of Central Pattern Generators

重复的动作，如咀嚼、行走和游泳，是相对无意识地进行的，由一组连接的神经细胞控制，称为中枢模式生成器(CPG)。这一奖项授予Peter Rowat博士的主题将是对控制无脊椎动物口腔运动的CPG进行建模；在过去的20年里，人们对该系统进行了广泛的研究，并获得了大量可用于对CPG的潜在机制进行建模的实验数据。为了研究这些机制，将开发简化的、但与生物相关的数学模型；然后将这些模型的输出与实验观察到的CPG输出进行比较。将测试神经调节物质对模型的影响。通过在计算机模拟和数学分析中改变模型组件的强度，可以预测这种CPG的最重要的生物成分。这项研究将有助于理解中枢神经系统控制重复运动的方式。

Repetitive movements such as chewing, walking, and swimming, which are done relatively unconsciously, are controlled by groups of connected nerve cells known as central pattern generators (CPG). The subject of this award to Dr. Peter Rowat will be modeling of a CPG which controls buccal movements in an invertebrate; this system has been studied extensively over the past two decades and a large amount of experimental data are available that can be used for modeling the underlying mechanisms of this CPG. To investigate these mechanisms, simplified, but biologically relevant, mathematical models will be developed; the output of these models will then be compared with the experimentally observed CPG output. The influence of neuromodulatory substances on the model will be tested. Prediction of the most important biological components of this CPG can be made by varying the strengths of components of the model in computer simulations and by mathematical analysis. This research will contribute to understanding the way in which repetitive movements are controlled by the central nervous system.