To understand the CNS in cellular terms, the first level of complexity to reach for is the small multicellular "functional modules or networks" of the brain - exemplified by the microcircuits included in this proposal.
The particular networks are chosen, because of their central importance in CNS function and because of recent successful research efforts combining progress in computational and experimental methodologies.
Moreover, each partner laboratory has played a key role in this development. One particular objective is a comparison of the variety of molecular, cellular and synaptic solutions that are utilised to generate particular features of the pattern of activity in these networks with different functions along the neuraxis.
The objective here is to explore to what an extent similar mechanisms are used in different networks to produce a given type of result (fast oscillation, burst termination, etc.). The purpose is to generate a "library" of different solutions to network pattern generation and to try to extract common principles.