All for one and one for all: single-cell properties in the service of circuit-level computations

Add to your list(s) Download to your calendar using vCal

• Dr Máté Lengyel, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge
• Thursday 16 January 2014, 16:00-17:00
• Hodgkin Huxley Seminar Room, Physiology Building, Downing Site.

If you have a question about this talk, please contact Philipe Mendonca.

Cortical computations are carried out by the concerted dynamics of neural circuits comprised of a large number of neurons. While we have extensive knowledge of the cellular-level properties of cortical neurons, we know very little about how they contribute to circuit-level computations. We have developed a theoretical framework based on the hypothesis that a wide range of these properties serve the purpose of allowing robust dynamics in a circuit in the face of the severe informational bottleneck imposed by spike-based communication between the constituent neurons of the circuit. This theory accounts for different forms of short-term plasticity as well as the well-known nonlinear integrative properties of dendrites. In particular, our theory allowed us to predict properties of short-term plasticity in a synapse and dendritic integration in the postsynaptic neuron based on the in vivo statistical patterns of activity in the presynaptic cell or population. Experimental data, available in the literature and provided by our collaborators, has confirmed these predictions. This work thus offers a principled link between different levels of neural organisation most often studied in separation under the rubrics of “cellular” and “systems” neuroscience.

This talk is part of the Foster Talks series.

This talk is included in these lists:

• All Talks (aka the CURE list)
• Biology
• Biology
• Cambridge Neuroscience Seminars
• Cambridge talks
• Chris Davis' list
• Featured lists
• Foster Talks
• Hodgkin Huxley Seminar Room, Physiology Building, Downing Site
• Life Science
• Life Sciences
• Life Sciences
• List 1
• ME Seminar
• Neuroscience
• Neuroscience Seminars
• Neuroscience Seminars
• PMRFPS's
• Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine
• dh539
• kt532's list
• my_list
• other talks
• personal list

Note that ex-directory lists are not shown.