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Tasks
The following tasks are being undertaken by the GABA project
- Functional connectivity: wiring the cognitive brain.
This task has a double objective. On the one hand, we attempt to identify spatiotemporal patterns of synchronization/de-synchronization related to normal behavior during a cognitive task. And on the other, we aim at determining whether changes in these spatiotemporal patterns mediate changes in behaviour during normal aging. These data will help us to settle the neural mechanisms that support the emergence of globally ordered synchronized states through self-organization of local interactions.Task coordinator: Dr. Mario Chávez (CNRS, France). E-mail: mario.chavez{at}chups.jussieu.fr
- Abnormal synchronization
We aim at determining quantitative indices of abnormal, spontaneous brain synchronization patterns in different pathological states involving either an increase (epilepsy) or a decrease of synchrony (Alzheimer's disease). These quantitative indices will allow us to make predictions over different time scales: i) Detection of early changes in synchrony patterns several minutes before the arrival of an epileptic seizure (seizure anticipation); and ii) prediction of conversion from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) at least 1 year before.Task coordinator: Dr. José Luis Cantero (UPO, Spain). E-mail: jlcanlor{at}upo.es
- Connectivity topology
We intend to examine the role of the neuronal network topology, both at long and short scales, in the establishment of synchronised activity between the associated neurons or brain structures. We will look for specific network architectures that enhance the presence of synchronisation, especially at long distances. Topological studies of complex networks will be undertaken and compared with experimental results in different kinds of cognition experiments.Task coordinator: Dr. Stefano Boccaletti (ISC, Italy). E-mail: stefano.boccaletti{at}isc.cnr.it
- Connectivity dynamics
Within the framework of theoretical and numerical modelling of complex networks, in the GABA project we will consider heterogeneous elements of neural networks (inhibitory and excitatory neurons coupled by chemical and electrical synapses) and we will investigate how this diversity might affect some collective dynamics as synchronization, clustering, etc. Attention will also be paid to the effect of coupling delays, both locally and between distant brain areas, and to the role of background noise in the collective operation of the brain. We will also study the effect of a varying coupling strength (e.g. by means of simple models of synaptic plasticity) between the network nodes on the resulting synchronized activity as a consequence of normal physiological activity related to cognition as well as due to abnormal states (e.g., reduced cholinergic input from the basal forebrain in Alzheimer's Disease).Task coordinator: Dr. Alessandro Villa (UJF, France). E-mail: Alessandro.Villa{at}ujf-grenoble.fr
- Scale integration
The aim of this task is to elucidate the principles through which local interactions (at a cellular scale) lead to globally ordered dynamics (at the scale of brain structures). This will help us to understand the mechanisms of neural synchronization/de-synchronization observed during a cognitive task, or during some type of epileptic seizure.Task coordinator: Drs. Gordon Pipa and Wolf Singer (MPIH, Germany). E-mail: mail{at}g-pipa.com
- Generalisability
We intend to show, both experimentally and theoretically, that some of the results obtained in the framework of the present project, can be generalised in a straightforward way to other types of complex networks. In particular, we will concentrate on two very different types of systems: arrays of optical devices and social networks. In the case of optical systems, we will study the effect of different network architectures on synchronisation. In the case of social networks, we will consider models of network spreading where the local dynamics of the network are excitable, similarly to the case of neurons.Task coordinator: Dr. Jordi Garcia-Ojalvo (UPC, Spain). E-mail: jordi.g.ojalvo{at}upc.edu