L21 - Connectomes

Question 1

Why do we need electroceuticals?

Answer 1

Analgesic drugs have high failure rate, economic cost (10y/$2.6b) and lack of efficacy (e.g. 50% reduction in pain in 1/4 patients)

Question 2

How do electroceuticals work?

Answer 2

1) Peripheral nerves send signals from brain to rest of body
2) Small device (grain-like) attaches to nerve bundle
3) The device alters signalling patterns passing through individual nerve fibre
4) Modified signals travel to target organ, treating disease

Question 3

Neural control of bladder
Sensory?
Autonomic?
Motor?

Answer 3

Neural control of bladder
Sensory: detect state of bladder
Autonomic: relax so bladder can fill
Motor: constrict sphincter so it doesn’t leak

Question 4

Graph theory: maths of networks

Answer 4

Math modelling representing the circuit as a network of nodes and edges which can be clustered into modules, these modules can be connected by hubs. We can convert network diagrams into math diagrams where we can analyze function of network.

Can have random or structured network or network consisting of modules and hubs - most normal brains sit in the middle

Question 5

Why do you want to convert the info about synapses etc into a wiring diagram?

Answer 5

Use math language to analyze operation of the neural circuit.

Question 6

What methodology do you use to observe strength of connections in a network?

Answer 6

Neurophysiological recordings (MEG, EEG or BOLD)

Question 7

Command interneuron

Answer 7

Found between sensory and motor neuron

Question 8

1a and 1B interneruons participate in feedback or feedforward loops for insemination?

Answer 8

Feedforward