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Teaching Basic Principles of Neuroscience with Computer Simulations

It is generally believed that students learn best through activities that require their direct participation. By using simulations as a tool for learning neuroscience, students are directly engaged in the activity and obtain immediate feedback and reinforcement. This paper describes a series of biop...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Av-Ron, Evyatar, Byrne, John H., Baxter, Douglas A.
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience 2006
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3592631/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23493644
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author Av-Ron, Evyatar
Byrne, John H.
Baxter, Douglas A.
author_facet Av-Ron, Evyatar
Byrne, John H.
Baxter, Douglas A.
author_sort Av-Ron, Evyatar
collection PubMed
description It is generally believed that students learn best through activities that require their direct participation. By using simulations as a tool for learning neuroscience, students are directly engaged in the activity and obtain immediate feedback and reinforcement. This paper describes a series of biophysical models and computer simulations that can be used by educators and students to explore a variety of basic principles in neuroscience. The paper also suggests ‘virtual laboratory’ exercises that students may conduct to further examine biophysical processes underlying neural function. First, the Hodgkin and Huxley (HH) model is presented. The HH model is used to illustrate the action potential, threshold phenomena, and nonlinear dynamical properties of neurons (e.g., oscillations, postinhibitory rebound excitation). Second, the Morris-Lecar (ML) model is presented. The ML model is used to develop a model of a bursting neuron and to illustrate modulation of neuronal activity by intracellular ions. Lastly, principles of synaptic transmission are presented in small neural networks, which illustrate oscillatory behavior, excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials, and temporal summation.
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spelling pubmed-35926312013-03-14 Teaching Basic Principles of Neuroscience with Computer Simulations Av-Ron, Evyatar Byrne, John H. Baxter, Douglas A. J Undergrad Neurosci Educ Article It is generally believed that students learn best through activities that require their direct participation. By using simulations as a tool for learning neuroscience, students are directly engaged in the activity and obtain immediate feedback and reinforcement. This paper describes a series of biophysical models and computer simulations that can be used by educators and students to explore a variety of basic principles in neuroscience. The paper also suggests ‘virtual laboratory’ exercises that students may conduct to further examine biophysical processes underlying neural function. First, the Hodgkin and Huxley (HH) model is presented. The HH model is used to illustrate the action potential, threshold phenomena, and nonlinear dynamical properties of neurons (e.g., oscillations, postinhibitory rebound excitation). Second, the Morris-Lecar (ML) model is presented. The ML model is used to develop a model of a bursting neuron and to illustrate modulation of neuronal activity by intracellular ions. Lastly, principles of synaptic transmission are presented in small neural networks, which illustrate oscillatory behavior, excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials, and temporal summation. Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience 2006-06-15 /pmc/articles/PMC3592631/ /pubmed/23493644 Text en Copyright © 2006 Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience
spellingShingle Article
Av-Ron, Evyatar
Byrne, John H.
Baxter, Douglas A.
Teaching Basic Principles of Neuroscience with Computer Simulations
title Teaching Basic Principles of Neuroscience with Computer Simulations
title_full Teaching Basic Principles of Neuroscience with Computer Simulations
title_fullStr Teaching Basic Principles of Neuroscience with Computer Simulations
title_full_unstemmed Teaching Basic Principles of Neuroscience with Computer Simulations
title_short Teaching Basic Principles of Neuroscience with Computer Simulations
title_sort teaching basic principles of neuroscience with computer simulations
topic Article
url https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3592631/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23493644
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