Mathematical Investigation of Neural Processing in the Auditory Brainstem

听觉脑干神经处理的数学研究

• 批准号: 9805761
• 负责人: Michael Reed
• 金额: $ 9.03万
• 依托单位: Duke University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 1998
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 1998-08-15 至 2001-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=9805761&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Mathematical; Investigation; Neural; Processing; Auditory

Reed9805761 The investigator and his collaborator, Joseph Blum, haveoffered the only proposal for how the neurons in the lateralsuperior olive collectively compute and encode azimuthal locationbased on sound level difference at the ears. Recent experimentalevidence indicates that their proposal may be correct. In thefirst part of this project, the investigator works withcollaborators to compare the model predictions with experimentalresults. Analytical investigations explain why the model encodingis very independent of sound level and exceptionally robust toparameter variations and synapse and cell death. A second partof the project uses mathematical models and machine computationto investigate neural processing in the dorsal nucleus of thelateral lemniscus, DNLL, an important intermediary processingregion between the superior olivary complex and the midbrain.Recent experimental studies have shed new light on the anatomyand physiology of the DNLL, but no modelling studies have beenperformed to understand how the DNLL neurons process their inputsand influence the encoding of a map of space in the auditorymidbrain. Using mathematics and computation, the investigator studiesthe structure and function of specific groups of nerve cells. Themain focus of this project is to understand how groups of nervecells in the brain perform together calculations that individualnerve cells cannot do. These investigations not only help usunderstand normal brain function, but should also enable thedesign of prosthetic devices and treatment strategies in certaincases of brain injury. In connection with these researchactivities, the investigator trains mathematics Ph.D. studentsand post-doctoral associates in the applications of mathematicsto biological systems and medicine. In addition, he teaches afreshman course entitled "Applications of Mathematics toPhysiology and Medicine," which introduces excellent collegefreshmen to this new and exciting field.

芦苇9805761 研究人员和他的合作者约瑟夫·布鲁姆（Joseph Blum）提出了唯一的建议，即外侧上橄榄核中的神经元如何根据耳朵的声级差集体计算和编码方位角位置。 最近的实验证据表明他们的建议可能是正确的。 在这个项目的第一部分，研究者与合作者一起将模型预测与实验结果进行比较。 分析研究解释了为什么模型编码是非常独立的声音水平和异常强大的参数变化和突触和细胞死亡。 本研究的第二部分是利用数学模型和机器计算来研究外侧丘系背核（DNLL）的神经加工过程，DNLL是上级橄榄复合体和中脑之间的一个重要的中间加工区域。最近的实验研究为DNLL的解剖学和生理学提供了新的线索，但尚未进行建模研究来了解DNLL神经元如何处理其输入并影响听觉中脑空间地图的编码。 利用数学和计算，研究人员研究了特定神经细胞群的结构和功能。 这个项目的主要重点是了解大脑中的神经细胞群如何一起执行单个神经细胞无法执行的计算。 这些研究不仅有助于我们了解正常的脑功能，而且还可以设计出修复装置和治疗策略，用于某些脑损伤病例。 结合这些研究活动，研究者培养了数学博士。在生物系统和医学中应用生物学的学生和博士后助理。 此外，他还教授一门名为“数学在生理学和医学中的应用”的课程，向优秀的大学新生介绍这一令人兴奋的新领域。