Computer simulation of cerebellar information processing.

Full Abstract

Although many functions have been ascribed to the cerebellum, the uniformity of its synaptic organization suggests that a single, characteristic computation may be common to all. Computer simulations are useful in examining this cerebellar computation, as they inherently address function at the level of information processing. Progress is facilitated by factors that make the cerebellum particularly amenable to such analysis. We review progress from two contrasting approaches. Top-down simulations begin with hypotheses about computational mechanisms and then ask how such mechanisms might operate within the cerebellum. Bottom-up simulations attempt to build a representation of the cerebellum that reflects known cellular and synaptic components as accurately as possible. We describe recent advances from these two approaches that are leading to an understanding of what information the cerebellum processes and how its neurons and synapses accomplish this task.

Author information

Author/s: Medina, J F (JF); Mauk, M D (MD);

Affiliation: Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Texas Medical School, Houston 77030, USA.

Grants: MH46904 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS) ; MH57051 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.; Review

Journal: Nature neuroscience (Nat Neurosci), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2000-Nov; vol 3 Suppl (issue ) : pp 1205-11

Dates: Created 2000/12/20; Completed 2001/01/04; Revised 2007/11/14;

PMID: 11127839, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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