title: A dynamical model of fast cortical reorganization.
abstract: In this work we study the connection between some dynamic effects at the synaptic level and fast reorganization of cortical sensory maps. By using a biologically plausible computational model of the primary somatosensory system we obtained simulation results that can be used to relate the dynamics of the interactions of excitatory and inhibitory neurons to the process of somatotopic map reorganization immediately after peripheral lesion. The model consists of three regions integrated into a single structure: tactile receptors representing the glabrous surface of the hand, ventral posterior lateral nucleus of the thalamus and area 3b of the primary somatosensory cortex, reproducing the main aspects of the connectivity of these regions. By applying informational measures to the simulation results of the dynamic behavior of AMPA, NMDA and GABA synaptic conductances we draw some conjectures about how the several neuronal synaptic elements are related to the initial stage of the digit-induced reorganization of the hand map in the somatosensory cortex.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Física e Matemática, FFCLRP, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mazza
authors.forename: Marilene
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Pinho
authors.forename: José Roberto C
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Piqueira
authors.forename: Antônio C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Roque
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001931:Brain Mapping; D003198:Computer Simulation; D018690:Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007257:Information Theory; D008959:Models, Neurological; D016202:N-Methylaspartate / Q000494:pharmacology; D009433:Neural Inhibition / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D012679:Sense Organs / Q000502:physiology; D013003:Somatosensory Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D018350:alpha-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D018690:Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D016202:N-Methylaspartate; D018350:alpha-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic Acid