Ebook: Hippocampal Microcircuits: A Computational Modeler’s Resource Book

The hippocampus plays an indispensible role in the formation of new memories in the mammalian brain. It is the focus of intense research and our understanding of its physiology, anatomy, and molecular structure has rapidly expanded in recent years. Yet, still much needs to be done to decipher how hippocampal microcircuits are built and function. Here, we present an overview of our current knowledge and a snapshot of ongoing research into these microcircuits.

Rich in detail, Hippocampal Microcircuits: A Computational Modeler’s Resource Book provides focused and easily accessible reviews on various aspects of the theme. It is an unparalleled resource of information, including both data and techniques that will be an invaluable companion to all those wishing to develop computational models of hippocampal neurons and neuronal networks.

The book is divided into two main parts. In the first part, leading experimental neuroscientists discuss data on the electrophysiological, neuroanatomical, and molecular characteristics of hippocampal circuits. The various types of excitatory and inhibitory neurons are reviewed along with their connectivity and synaptic properties. Single cell and ensemble activity patterns are presented from in vitro models, as well as anesthetized and freely moving animals. In the second part, computational neuroscientists describe models of hippocampal microcircuits at various levels of complexity, from single neurons to large-scale networks. Additionally, a chapter is devoted to simulation environments currently used by computational neuroscientists in developing their models.

In addition to providing concise reviews and a wealth of data, the chapters also identify central questions and unexplored areas that will define future research in computational neuroscience.

About the Editors:

Dr. Vassilis Cutsuridis is a Research Fellow in the Department of Computing Science and Mathematics at the University of Stirling, Scotland, UK. Dr. Bruce P. Graham is a Reader in Computing Science in the Department of Computing Science and Mathematics at the University of Stirling. Dr. Stuart Cobb and Dr. Imre Vida are Senior Lecturers in the Neuroscience and Molecular Pharmacology Department at the University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK.

The hippocampus is thought to play a role in the short-term storage of declarative memories in the human brain. Our understanding of its anatomy, physiology and molecular structure has expanded rapidly in recent years. Yet much still needs to be done to decipher the function of the detailed microcircuits. This overview of our current knowledge of the hippocampus also provides a snapshot of the state of the art of ongoing research into these microcircuits.

Rich in detail, Hippocampal Microcircuits: A Computational Modeler’s Resource Book provides succinct and focused reviews of experimental results. It is an unparalleled resource of data and methodology that will be invaluable to anyone wishing to develop computational models of the microcircuits of the hippocampus. The editors have divided the material into two thematic areas. Covering the subject’s experimental background, leading neuroscientists discuss the morphological, physiological and molecular characteristics as well as the connectivity and synaptic properties of the various cell types found in the hippocampus. Here, ensemble activity, related to behavior, on the part of morphologically identified neurons in anesthetized and freely moving animals, lead to insights into the functions of hippocampal areas. In the second section, on computational analysis, computational neuroscientists present models of hippocampal microcircuits at various levels of detail, including single-cell and network levels. A full chapter is devoted to the single-neuron and network simulation environments currently used by computational neuroscientists in developing their models.

In addition to the above, the chapters also identify outstanding questions and areas in need of further clarification that will guide future research by computational neuroscientists.