A massively connected subthalamic nucleus leads to the generation of widespread pulses.
A composite model of the subthalamic nucleus is developed from physiological and anatomical considerations. First, study of a geometric model of the anatomical arrangements of projection neurons within the nucleus indicates that they form a massively connected network. Second, given the excitatory nature of these neurons, their threshold and peak firing rates, a simple model of neuron responses reveals that large regions of this highly interconnected nucleus can respond to excitatory input in the form of a wide-spread uniform pulse. Such widespread pulses of activity may act as a braking signal that resets the major basal ganglia output nuclei.
Gillies
A J
AJ
Centre for Cognitive Science, University of Edinburgh, UK.
Willshaw
D J
DJ
D000818:Animals; D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000502:physiology; D004594:Electrophysiology; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D013787:Thalamic Nuclei / Q000502:physiology*