Computers and Computations in the Neurosciences

1st Edition - January 1, 1992
Editor: P. Michael Conn
Language: English
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 1 - 4 8 3 2 - 5 9 5 1 - 2

Methods in Neurosciences, Volume 10: Computers and Computations in the Neurosciences discusses the use of computers in the neurosciences. The book deals with data collection,… Read more

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Methods in Neurosciences, Volume 10: Computers and Computations in the Neurosciences discusses the use of computers in the neurosciences. The book deals with data collection, analysis, and modeling, with emphasis on the use of computers. Section I involves data collection using a personal microcomputer system. One paper presents a tutorial on using a PC-based motor control composed of an electronic circuit to adjust the motion of a light microscope stage through a software program. Other papers discuss computer methods in nuclei cartography and a computer-assisted quantitative receptor autoradiography in studying receptor density distribution. Section II deals with data analysis and some computer programs for kinetic modeling of gene expression in neurons. The book also discusses a computerized analysis of opioid receptor heterogeneity by ligand binding in test animals using computerized programs instead of employing manual or graphical methods. Computerized curve-fitting allows the researcher to utilize a more precise mathematical model to describe the binding of one ligand to one class of sites. Section III evaluates data modeling and simulations and describes the practicality of using computers to design model ion channels. Another paper discusses a graphical interaction program called MEMPOT to simulate an electrophysiological investigation of the properties of the membrane potential in stimulated cells. The book also presents a quantitative data gathered from computer simulation of the factors that affect neuronal density per measured sections. The book is suitable for microbiologists, biochemists, neuroscientists, and researchers in the field of medical research, as well as for advanced computer programmers in medical research work.

Contributors to Volume 10

Preface

Volumes in Series

Section I Data Collection

1. Neurophysiological Data Acquisition Based on Personal Microcomputer System

2. Personal Computer-Based Motion Control: A Tutorial and Application Using Simple Motor Controller to Drive Light Microscope Stage

3. Single-Unit Isolation from Multiunit Nerves by Dedicated Recording and Computation Methods

4. Computers in Study of Simultaneously Recorded Spike Trains: Organization of Neuronal Assemblies

5. Computer Methods in Nuclei Cartography

6. Quantitative Computerized Immunocytochemistry: Tissue Preparation and Image Analysis Techniques

7. Confocol Fluorescence Microscopy in Three-Dimensional Analysis of Axon Terminal Distribution, Neuronal Connectivity, and Colocalization of Messenger Molecules in Nervous Tissue: Computerized Analysis

8. Computer-Assisted Quantitative Receptor Autoradiography

9. Measuring Spatial Water Maze Learning

10. Measuring Discrimination Learning

Section II Data Analysis

11. Computer Program for Kinetic Modeling of Gene Expression in Neurons

12. Computerized Optimization of Experimental Design for Estimating Binding Affinity and Binding Capacity in Ligand Binding Studies

13. Computerized Analysis of Opioid Receptor Heterogeneity by Ligand Binding in Guinea Pig Brain

14. Identification of Spikes by Computer

15. Computer Method for Identifying Bursts in Trains of Spikes

16. Computer Algorithms for Deconvolution-Based Assessment of In Vivo Neuroendocrine Secretory Events

17. Graded Action Potentials in Small Hippocampal Neurons: A Computational Approach

18. Quantification of Fast Axonal Transport by Video Microscopy

19. Use of Computers for Quantitative, Three-Dimensional Analysis of Dendritic Trees

20. Interactive Computer-Assisted Coding, Three-Dimensional Reconstruction, and Quantitative Analysis of Neuronal Perikarya, Processes, Spines, and Varicosities

21. Computerized Three-Dimensional Analysis of Shape of Synaptic Active Zones in Rat Spinal Cord

22. Statistical and Computational Methods for Quantal Analysis of Synaptic Transmission

23. Topography of Primary Muscle Afferent Neurons in Rat Dorsal Root Ganglia: A Three-Dimensional Computer-Aided Analysis

24. Computerized Morphometric Analysis of Neurons in Culture

25. Computerized Analysis of Polarized Neurite Growth

26. Computer-Assisted Methods for Analyzing Images of Olfactory Bulb

Section III Data Modeling and Simulations

27. Numerical Simulation of Cytosolic Calcium Oscillations Based on Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate-Sensitive Calcium Channels

28. Models of Ion Channel Gating

29. Graphical Interactive Computer Simulation of Membrane Potential Measurements

30. Computer-Assisted Three-Dimensional Reconstruction and Dissection

31. Computer Simulations of Individual Neurons

32. Factors Influencing Neuronal Density on Sections: Quantitative Data Obtained by Computer Simulation

33. Physical Modeling of Neural Networks

Index

P. Michael Conn

P. Michael Conn is the Senior Vice President for Research and Associate Provost, Texas Tech Health Sciences Center. He is The Robert C. Kimbrough, Professor of Internal Medicine and Cell Biology/Biochemistry. He was previously Director of Research Advocacy and Professor of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cell Biology and Development and Obstetrics and Gynecology at Oregon Health and Science University and Senior Scientist of the Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC). He served for twelve years as Special Assistant to the President and Associate Director of the ONPRC. After receiving a B.S. degree and teaching certification from the University of Michigan (1971), a M.S. from North Carolina State University (1973), and a Ph.D. degree from Baylor College of Medicine (1976), Conn did a fellowship at the NIH, then joined the faculty in the Department of Pharmacology, Duke University Medical Center where he was promoted to Associate Professor in 1982. In 1984, he became Professor and Head of Pharmacology at the University of Iowa College of Medicine, a position he held for eleven years. Conn is known for his research in the area of the cellular and molecular basis of action of gonadotropin releasing hormone action in the pituitary and therapeutic approaches that restore misfolded proteins to function. His work has led to drugs that have benefitted humans and animals. Most recently, he has identified a new class of drugs, pharmacoperones, which act by regulating the intracellular trafficking of receptors, enzymes and ion channels. He has authored or co-authored over 350 publications in this area and written or edited over 200 books, including texts in neurosciences, molecular biology and endocrinology. Conn has served as the editor of many professional journals and book series (Endocrinology, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, Endocrine, Methods, Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science and Contemporary Endocrinology). Conn served on the National Board of Medical Examiners, including two years as chairman of the reproduction and endocrinology committee. The work of his laboratory has been recognized with a MERIT award from the NIH, the J.J. Abel Award of the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, the Weitzman, Oppenheimer and Ingbar Awards of the Endocrine Society, the National Science Medal of Mexico (the Miguel Aleman Prize) and the Stevenson Award of Canada. He is the recipient of the Oregon State Award for Discovery, the Media Award of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology and was named a distinguished Alumnus of Baylor College of Medicine in 2012. Conn is a previous member of Council for the American Society for Cell Biology and the Endocrine Society and is a prior President of the Endocrine Society, during which time he founded the Hormone Foundation and worked with political leadership to heighten the public’s awareness of diabetes. Conn’s students and fellows have gone on to become leaders in industry and academia. He is an elected member of the Mexican Institute of Medicine and a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He is the co-author of The Animal Research War (2008) and many articles for the public and academic community on the value of animal research and the dangers posed by animal extremism. His op/eds have appeared in The Washington Post, The LA Times, The Wall Street Journal, the Des Moines Register, and elsewhere. Conn consults with organizations that are influenced by animal extremism and with universities and companies facing challenges from these groups.

Affiliations and expertise

Senior Vice President for Research and Associate Provost, Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, TX, USA