Models of the Cerebellar Purkinje Cell and Cortex

这项提议将支持构建哺乳动物小脑皮质的大规模计算机模型。构建的模型将是现实的，因为它们将包括目前已知的这种结构的神经元和网络的解剖学和生理学。由于模型的真实性，模拟结果可以用来指导实验研究，并帮助解释新的实验结果。虽然在这笔赠款中没有要求任何资金来支持动物研究，但其结果将对提高动物研究的效率和效果具有无可估量的价值。这一建模工作也将在P.I.最近提出的关于小脑皮质功能的全新理论的背景下进行，该理论是在之前的基础研究工作的基础上发展起来的，部分由NSF资助。尽管这项研究中要进行的工作是基础科学，但已经提出的理论已经产生了看待人类患者小脑功能障碍的新方法，并将很快导致检测小脑缺陷的新方法的临床试验。这里将支持的建模工作几乎肯定会继续产生关于这一重要结构的功能的新思维方式。

Lay abstractThis proposal will support the construction of large-scale computer models of the mammalian cerebellar cortex. The models constructed will be realistic in the sense that they will include what is currently known of the anatomy and physiology of the neurons and networks of this structure. Because the models are realistic, modeling results can be used to guide experimental investigations and help in the interpretation of new experimental results. Although no funds are requested to support animal research in this grant, the results will be invaluable for making animal research more efficient and effective. This modeling effort will also take place in the context of a fundamentally new theory of cerebellar cortical function recently proposed y the P.I., which has grown out of previous basic research efforts, funded in part by NSF. Although the work to be performed in this study is basic science, the theory that has been proposed has already generating new ways to look at cerebellar dysfunction in human patients, and will shortly result in clinical trials for new means of detecting cerebellar deficits. The modeling efforts to be supported here will almost certainly continue to produce new ways of thinking about the function of this important structure.