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The human brain consists of connections between neurons at the local level and of connections between brain regions at the global level. The study of the entire network, the connectome, has become a recent focus in neuroscience research. Using routines from physics and the social sciences, neuronal networks were found to show properties of scale-free networks, making them robust towards random damage, and of small-world systems leading to better information integration. I will describe the main features of the topological and spatial organisation of neural systems and how they differ from artificial systems information processing systems such as computers. Recent clinical studies in the last three years have shown that the network features of the healthy brain differ from that of schizophrenia, epilepsy, and Alzheimer’s disease patients. These features even differ depending on cognitive features such as IQ. I will show how network features and simulations of brain activity can be used to assess and model changes in patients. For example, simulating the spreading of epileptic seizures can inform of underlying reasons for epilepsy. I will finally outline how these methods could improve therapies for mental and cognitive disorders in the future. | The human brain consists of connections between neurons at the local level and of connections between brain regions at the global level. The study of the entire network, the connectome, has become a recent focus in neuroscience research. Using routines from physics and the social sciences, neuronal networks were found to show properties of scale-free networks, making them robust towards random damage, and of small-world systems leading to better information integration. I will describe the main features of the topological and spatial organisation of neural systems and how they differ from artificial systems information processing systems such as computers. Recent clinical studies in the last three years have shown that the network features of the healthy brain differ from that of schizophrenia, epilepsy, and Alzheimer’s disease patients. These features even differ depending on cognitive features such as IQ. I will show how network features and simulations of brain activity can be used to assess and model changes in patients. For example, simulating the spreading of epileptic seizures can inform of underlying reasons for epilepsy. I will finally outline how these methods could improve therapies for mental and cognitive disorders in the future. | ||
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=== Wednesday, April 14 === | === Wednesday, April 14 === | ||
'''Raymond Kesner '''<br /> | '''Raymond Kesner '''<br /> | ||
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* Location: Mok-am Hall, Bldg 501 | * Location: Mok-am Hall, Bldg 501 | ||
| - | One major discovery of modern neurobiology is that neurons and synapses in the adult brains are highly plastic, and synapses can undergo long-term changes throughout life. Long-term synaptic changes are not necessary for good, some of them may contribute to long-term illness such as chronic pain and mood disorders. Studies of molecular and cellular mechanisms of such changes not only provide important insight into how we learn and store new knowledge in brains, but also reveal the mechanisms of pathological changes occurring following an injury. In this talk, I will present recent physiological and molecular evidence for long-term plasticity of chronic pain at higher cortical structures., and explore where is pain processed and why it lasts long period of time. | + | One major discovery of modern neurobiology is that neurons and synapses in the adult brains are highly plastic, and synapses can undergo long-term changes throughout life. Long-term synaptic changes are not necessary for good, some of them may contribute to long-term illness such as chronic pain and mood disorders. Studies of molecular and cellular mechanisms of such changes not only provide important insight into how we learn and store new knowledge in brains, but also reveal the mechanisms of pathological changes occurring following an injury. In this talk, I will present recent physiological and molecular evidence for long-term plasticity of chronic pain at higher cortical structures., and explore where is pain processed and why it lasts long period of time.--> |
Revision as of 01:33, 26 April 2010
Distinguished Lecturer Series in Brain and Cognitive Sciences
Distinguished Lecturer Series in Brain and Cognitive Sciences will begin its second season of public lectures by nationally and internationally-recognized researchers on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 beginning at 4pm.
All lectures are free and open to the public and no reservations are necessary, For more information about the Distinguished Lecturer Series, Contact Jieun Esther Shin at +82-2-880-9108.
| Speaker | Data & Time | Title | Location |
| Min Zhuo | 3/17 W 4-6pm | Where is my Pain? | Mok-am Hall, Bldg 501 |
| Sebastian Seung | 3/24 W 4-6pm | Tracing the Brain's Wires with Computer Vision | Mok-am Hall, Bldg 501 |
| Raymond Kesner | 4/14 W 4-6pm | Different Functions for Different Subregins of the Hippocampus: a Process and Pathway Analysis |
Mok-am Hall, Bldg 501 |
| Marcus Kaiser | 5/19 W 4-6pm | Ghost in the Shell: Simulating Brain Network Dynamics in Health and Disease |
Mok-am Hall, Bldg 501 |
Wednesday, May 19
Marcus Kaiser
Brain and Cognitive Sciences, SNU
Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, UK
- Title: Ghost in the Shell: Simulating Brain Network Dynamics in Health and Disease
- Time: 4pm
- Location: Mok-am Hall, Bldg 501
The human brain consists of connections between neurons at the local level and of connections between brain regions at the global level. The study of the entire network, the connectome, has become a recent focus in neuroscience research. Using routines from physics and the social sciences, neuronal networks were found to show properties of scale-free networks, making them robust towards random damage, and of small-world systems leading to better information integration. I will describe the main features of the topological and spatial organisation of neural systems and how they differ from artificial systems information processing systems such as computers. Recent clinical studies in the last three years have shown that the network features of the healthy brain differ from that of schizophrenia, epilepsy, and Alzheimer’s disease patients. These features even differ depending on cognitive features such as IQ. I will show how network features and simulations of brain activity can be used to assess and model changes in patients. For example, simulating the spreading of epileptic seizures can inform of underlying reasons for epilepsy. I will finally outline how these methods could improve therapies for mental and cognitive disorders in the future.
