Speaker: Janet Best,
Department of Mathematics,
Ohio State University

Title: Transitions between irregular and rhythmic firing patterns in a model subthalamopallidal network

Abstract:
Numerous experiments demonstrate increased correlations in activity within the subthalamic nucleus and globus pallidus in [WINDOWS-1252?]Parkinson’s disease. We apply dynamical systems methods to understand transitions between irregular and rhythmic, correlated firing in a model for the subthalamopallidal network of the basal ganglia. Geometric singular perturbation theory and one-dimensional maps are used to understand how an excitatory-inhibitory network with fixed architecture can generate both activity patterns for possibly different values of the intrinsic and synaptic parameters.