Computational and systems neuroscience
The extraordinary complexity of the brain makes it exceedingly difficult to study how this organ integrates one hundred billion neurons and up to 5 quadrillion connections in parallel fashion. Most researchers narrow their search to a specific brain region or limited set of genes or proteins in order to simplify the research question and obtain straightforward answers. In order to fully understand brain function, cognition and consciousness, however, it will be necessary to understand how the entire brain is integrated simultaneously. An approach to this is computational and systems neuroscience which takes a mathematical route to determine how the brain's networks combine to create a system that inspires and allows a human to walk on the moon, paint the Mona Lisa or develop a theory of relativity.
In Aberdeen several groups tackle the puzzle of how the brain operates as a unit using mathematical approaches (computation neuroscience) and studying how theoretical models can be used to predict how large number of neurons (including their protein constituents and gene networks) interact to perform tasks (systems neuroscience). At the University of Aberdeen there is a strong mathematical modelling team working in neuroscience which builds upon an extensive interdisciplinary programme in systems biology and involves strong participation from individuals and research groups from the College of Physical Sciences and the College of Life Sciences and Medicine.
The theoretical research at the University of Aberdeen by Professor Grebogi, and Drs Thiel, Romano Blasco and Moura is focused on complex networks. Their aim is to address two major challenges: "How does the brain organise and build itself during development?" and "How are memory traces encoded?" To deal with these challenging questions, computational and systems neuroscience is used in a combined experimental and computational approach to describe and predict both development and memory storage in the brain.
The systems neuroscience research of Dr Marlene Bartos, together with Professor Wisden and Dr Wulff, looks specifically at a type of oscillation occurring throughout the brain which is believed to synchronize distinct regions of the brain and to be essential for networking. These gamma oscillations likely contribute to cognitive functions, such as memory formation and sensory processing, and may be disrupted in some psychiatric disorders. This group studies the fast-spiking, parvalbumin positive, inhibitory interneurons that have a key role in the generation of gamma oscillations and computational analysis indicates that networks of these interneurons can create robust gamma frequency oscillators.
The distance matrix of the trajectory of a Hindmarsh-Rose neuron. (Romano Blasco)