Neuroscience 2005 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 625.4 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | A computational model of a brainstem loop for whisker pattern generation. |
| Authors: |
Mitchinson, B.*1
; Prescott, T. J.1
; Gurney, K.1
; Pearson, M. J.2
; Gilhespy, I.2
; Pipe, A. J.2
1Psychology, Univ. of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom 2United Kingdom, Western Bank heffield , S10 2TP, |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Sensory and Motor Systems - Tactile/Somatosensory -- Whisker coding from afferents to cortex |
| Secondary Theme and Topics | Sensory and Motor Systems<br />- Pattern Generation and Locomotion<br />-- Pattern generation: Other |
| Session: |
625. Tactile/Somatosensory: Whisker Coding from Afferents to Cortex II Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Tuesday, November 15, 2005 11:00 AM-12:00 PM |
| Location: | Washington Convention Center - Hall A-C, Board # W32 |
| Keywords: | VIBRISSA, SENSORY, TRIGEMINAL, FACIAL |
We present a control-theoretic, computational model of whisking pattern generation in brainstem, and of the positive and negative feedback from sensory signals that may mediate observed behavioural effects. Experiments using high-speed video recording indicate that both inter- and intra-whisk parameters of whisking patterns in freely behaving rats are affected by contact of the whiskers with the environment (Prescott et al., SFN 2005). These effects tend both to minimise impingement of the whiskers on the environment during protraction, and to maximise the number of whiskers that make contact with a stimulus. Here, we describe a model of whisker pattern generation in brainstem, and of an associated closed sensorimotor loop. This loop runs from the pattern generator to the whisker musculature, through the interactions of the whiskers with the environment to the whisker follicles, and back up to the pattern generator. We are developing a set of artificial whiskers to form the sensor array of a mobile autonomous robot (Pipe et al., SFN 2005); here, we construct a simple two-dimensional simulation of the reponse of these whiskers to drive signals, and their interaction with environmental point obstacles. We use the mechanical signals thus generated to drive a previously published electromechanical model of transduction within the whisker follicle (Mitchinson et al., Proc Biol Sci 2004, 271:2509-16). The remainder of the loop we develop here. The simulated 'whisking environment' also supplies useful visual feedback on the operation of the model, which can be fairly directly compared with video recordings of rats. We demonstrate that this model can reproduce the aspects of whisking behaviour described above, and go on to transpose it into 'spiking' neuron network form, again confirming its operation. Finally, we discuss the proposed seat of this system in the rat brain, with reference to previously published anatomical and electrophysiological data.
Supported by UK EPSRC GR/S19639/01
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2005 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Washington, DC: Society for Neuroscience, 2005. Online.
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