Models of the Cerebellar Purkinje Cell and Cortex

这一建议将支持构建哺乳动物小脑皮层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神经元和这种结构的网络的解剖学和生理学。由于模型是真实的，建模结果可以用来指导实验研究和帮助解释新的实验结果。虽然在这项资助中没有要求资金支持动物研究，但结果将对提高动物研究的效率和效果非常宝贵。这项建模工作也将在p.i.最近提出的小脑皮质功能的基本新理论的背景下进行，该理论是从以前的基础研究成果中发展出来的，部分由美国国家科学基金会资助。虽然在这项研究中进行的工作是基础科学，但已经提出的理论已经产生了观察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。这里支持的建模工作几乎肯定会继续产生思考这个重要结构功能的新方法。

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.