Principles of Operation of Central Pattern Generators

咀嚼、走路和游泳等重复性动作是相对无意识地完成的，它们是由一组相互连接的神经细胞控制的，这些神经细胞被称为中枢模式发生器（CPG）。本次授予Peter Rowat博士的课题是对控制无脊椎动物颊部运动的CPG进行建模；在过去的二十年中，人们对这一系统进行了广泛的研究，并获得了大量的实验数据，这些数据可用于对这一CPG的潜在机制进行建模。为了研究这些机制，简化，但生物学相关，将开发数学模型；然后将这些模型的输出与实验观察到的CPG输出进行比较。我们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中各组分的强度，可以预测该CPG中最重要的生物组分。这项研究将有助于理解中枢神经系统控制重复性动作的方式。

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.