Neurophysiological findings are incorporated into computer
models that simulate known synaptic connections among cortical neurons and the thalamic
cells that are presynaptic to them. The model networks are activated by pre-recorded spike
trains from thalamocortical relay cells, and the output of the model neurons is compared
quantitatively with that obtained in real barrels. Dynamical systems analysis is used to
characterize the operations of the circuits. Similar approaches are used to understand how
thalamic circuitry processes whisker-evoked activity from the brainstem and, in turn, how
brainstem circuits transform incoming activity from the whiskers themselves.
How does a barrel "work"?
Check out BARRELS at
http://simonslab.neurobio.pitt.edu/barrels
Here are studies by students in (or
recently departed from) the lab:
Randy Bruno (Ph.D. student, Program in Neurobiology) |
Feedforward Inhibition in Thalamocortical
Circuits |
Kathy Kelly (Ph.D. student, Physical Therapy) |
Responses of Thalamic and Cortical Neurons
During Active Touch |
Vivek Khatri (Ph.D. student, CNUP) |
Functional Organization of Sub-Networks Within
Individual Cortical Barrels |
SooHyun Lee (Ph.D. student, CNUP) |
Modulation of the Ascending Somatosensory System by Primary
Motor Cortex |
Brad Minnery (Ph.D. student, Program in Neurobiology) |
Trigeminothalamic Response Transformations |
Mish Shoykhet (MD/Ph.D. student) |
Functional Development of Thalamocortical
Circuits |
Simona Temereanca (Ph.D student, Program in Neurobiology) |
Corticothalamic Modulation of Stimulus-Evoked
Thalamic Responses |
Tom Prigg (Research Assistant, B.S., University of Pittsburgh) |
Thalamic Activity During Spatial Discrimination
Behavior |
Pranav Shetty (B.S. graduate, Dept. of Neuroscience; currently a Pitt Med freshman) |
Responses of Primary Afferent Neurons at the Age
of Whisking Onset |