Dynamics and Control of Neuronal Pattern Formation

描述（由申请人提供）：图案形成的物理学在过去20年中取得了巨大的进步。然而，将这些知识应用于神经元系统的能力受到了我们对神经元相互作用动力学知识的限制，并且我们缺乏控制这种模式的系统参数。在K02的前一阶段，我们已经证明了电场可以作为一个反馈参数，自适应地控制神经元活动的模式。此外，我们已经证明，单个神经元之间的相互作用，因为它们形成这些模式可以详细描述。这个更新的建议将寻求测试的假设，参数控制的神经元模式可以实现与电场反馈。这样的反馈可以作为一个基本的工具来探索神经元合奏如何动态地形成和改变他们的活动模式，并作为一种手段，以互动和选择性地修改病理神经元动力学。我的研究目标是为神经元的活动模式开发智能交互和控制策略，使用物理学中的模式形成框架来组织理论和实验。我提出了一个四部分的方法：1）体外实验，以确定神经元之间的细胞内相互作用如何决定模式之间的过渡性质，2）开发一个房室计算框架来直接模拟这些实验，3）开发抽象模型来理解这些现象背后的非平衡模式形成物理学，以及4）将从建模中获得的见解应用于体外和体内实验中癫痫发作和θ节律的合理控制策略的设计和测试。我的职业目标是使用K02机制来深入获得足够的模式形成物理学背景，以通过1）正式的研究生课程工作来执行这些拟议的实验，2）继续我的研究并与高级数学家和物理学家合作，3）组织研讨会以进一步发展和扩大物理学和医学中的模式形成领域。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The physics of pattern formation has made dramatic strides over the past 20 years. Nevertheless, the ability to apply this knowledge to neuronal systems has been limited by our knowledge of the dynamics of neuronal interactions, and our lack of a system parameter to control such patterns. Over the previous period of this K02, we have demonstrated that electric fields can serve as a feedback parameter to control patterns of neuronal activity adaptively. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that the interactions between individual neurons as they form these patterns can be characterized in detail. This renewal proposal will seek to test the Hypothesis that parametric control of neuronal patterns can be achieved with electric field feedback. Such feedback can serve as a basic tool to explore how neuronal ensembles dynamically form and change their patterns of activity, and as a means to interact with and selectively modify pathological neuronal dynamics. My research goals are to develop intelligent interaction and control strategies for neuronal patterns of activity, using the framework of Pattern Formation in Physics to organize theory and experiments. I propose a 4 part approach: 1) In Vitro experiments to determine how the intracellular interactions between neurons determine the nature of the transition between patterns, 2) develop a compartmental computational framework to directly model these experiments, 3) develop abstract models to understand the nonequilibrium pattern formation physics that underlie these phenomena, and 4) to apply insights gained from modeling to design and test rational control strategies for seizures and theta rhythm in In Vitro and In Vivo experiments. My career goals are to use the K02 mechanism to intensively acquire a sufficient background in pattern formation physics to perform these proposed experiments through 1) formal graduate course work, 2) continuing my studies and collaboration with senior mathematicians and physicists, and 3) organizing workshops to further develop and expand the field of pattern formation in physics and medicine.