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EXPERIMENTAL BASIS FOR REALISTIC LARGE‐SCALE COMPUTER SIMULATION OF THE ENTERIC NERVOUS SYSTEM
Author(s) -
Furness JB,
Bornstein JC,
Kunze WAA,
Bertrand PP,
Kelly H.,
Thomas EA
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
clinical and experimental pharmacology and physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1440-1681
pISSN - 0305-1870
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1681.1996.tb01180.x
Subject(s) - neuroscience , sensory system , nervous system , reflex , enteric nervous system , biology , neurotransmission , neuron , motor neuron , anatomy , spinal cord , biochemistry , receptor
SUMMARY 1. The enteric nervous system is perhaps the most accessible part of the mammalian nervous system in which it is feasible to attempt large scale computer simulation that is based closely on experimentally determined data. Here we summarize the data obtained for simulation of motility reflexes in the guineapig small intestine. 2. The chemistry, morphology and connectivity of each type of neuron involved in intrinsic reflexes have been investigated and most classes of neurons are physiologically well characterized. This includes primary sensory neurons, ascending and descending interneurons and motor neurons to circular and longitudinal muscle. 3. The responses of primary sensory neurons and the physiology of synaptic transmission from sensory neurons to interneurons and motor neurons, from interneurons to interneurons and from interneurons to motor neurons have been recorded during reflexes and in some cases the pharmacology of transmission has also been investigated. 4. Computer simulation, in which the activities of up to 30000 neurons are modelled, produces patterns of activity that closely mimic those recorded in physiological experiments.