systems neuroscience

systems neuroscience is a branch of neuroscience that examines the structure and function of neural circuits and systems. It focuses on how ensembles of neurons interact to produce perception, cognition, and behavior, bridging the gap between molecular neuroscience and cognitive neuroscience. This field integrates approaches from electrophysiology, neuroimaging, and computational neuroscience to understand the organizational principles of the brain.

Overview

The field emerged from foundational work by pioneers like Santiago Ramón y Cajal, who described the neuron doctrine, and Charles Scott Sherrington, who studied synaptic integration. A major historical milestone was the mapping of the visual cortex by David H. Hubel and Torsten Wiesel, which demonstrated how neural systems encode sensory information. Modern systems neuroscience is heavily influenced by institutions such as the National Institutes of Health and the Allen Institute for Brain Science, and it often employs advanced techniques developed at places like the Marine Biological Laboratory and the Janelia Research Campus.

Key concepts

Central to this discipline is the concept of the neural circuit, a functional group of neurons that processes specific types of information, such as those found in the hippocampus for memory or the basal ganglia for movement. Neural coding investigates how information is represented by patterns of action potentials, a topic advanced by research from scientists like Horace Barlow and Boris Babkin. The study of brain connectivity, including large-scale projects like the Human Connectome Project, seeks to map the comprehensive wiring diagram of the nervous system. Understanding systems neurophysiology is crucial, as demonstrated by classic experiments on the somatosensory system by Vernon Mountcastle.

Major research areas

A primary area is sensory systems research, which explores processing in modalities like vision, studied at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, and audition, researched at the Eaton-Peabody Laboratories. Motor system investigations focus on areas like the motor cortex and cerebellum, with influential work by John Eccles and Edward Evarts. Systems neurobiology of learning and memory examines structures like the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, building on the work of Brenda Milner and Eric Kandel. The study of attention and decision making involves research at centers like the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and the McGovern Institute for Brain Research.

Methodologies

Electrophysiological techniques, such as extracellular recording used by Edgar Adrian and patch clamp developed by Erwin Neher and Bert Sakmann, allow measurement of neuronal activity. Neuroimaging tools, including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) pioneered by researchers like Seiji Ogawa and supported by the Wellcome Trust, visualize brain-wide activity. Optogenetics, developed by teams including Karl Deisseroth and Edward Boyden, enables precise control of specific neural populations. Computational modeling and neural network analyses, influenced by the work of David Marr and organizations like the Kavli Foundation, are essential for interpreting complex data.

Relationship to other fields

It maintains a close dialogue with cognitive neuroscience, often sharing methodologies and conferences like the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience. It informs and is informed by neurology, particularly through studies of disorders at clinics like the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. The field intersects with psychiatry, as seen in research on schizophrenia at the National Institute of Mental Health. It also collaborates with biomedical engineering on projects like brain-computer interfaces developed at the Wadsworth Center and with artificial intelligence research at companies like DeepMind.

Applications

Insights directly impact neurological disorder treatments, guiding deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease at institutions like the Cleveland Clinic. They advance neuroprosthetics, such as the cochlear implant and retinal implants researched at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. Research informs new approaches to mental health conditions, with studies on post-traumatic stress disorder funded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Furthermore, principles are applied to improve artificial neural networks in technology developed by companies like IBM and Google Brain.

Category:Neuroscience