Overview

The brain functions like a computer composed of subsystems which in­ teract in a hierarchical manner. But it is not a single hierarchy, but a com­ plex system of hierarchies each of which has its very own and unique fea­ ture. One of these concerns the cyclic or rhythmic control of neuronal ac­ tivities which, among others, give rise to alternating states of wakefulness and sleep. The phenomenon of sleep still remains a mystery. The present monograph does not give us any new insights into its meaning and significance. Yet sleep research may not be the same after the appearance of this book be­ cause it gives us a comprehensive mathematical theory which opens our eyes to new insights into the mechanism of the rhythm generation that under­ lies the ""wake-sleep"" cycle. No one who has worked his way through this book can again look at ex­ perimental data without recognizing features which the ""models"" developed in its various chapters so strikingly reveal.

Full Product Details

Author:   J. T. Enright
Publisher:   Springer-Verlag Berlin and Heidelberg GmbH & Co. KG
Imprint:   Springer-Verlag Berlin and Heidelberg GmbH & Co. K
Edition:   Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1980
Volume:   3
Dimensions:   Width: 17.00cm , Height: 1.50cm , Length: 24.40cm
Weight:   0.502kg
ISBN:  

9783540096672

ISBN 10:   3540096671
Pages:   263
Publication Date:   01 February 1980
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Undergraduate ,  Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Out of stock  
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Table of Contents

1 Introduction.- 2 A Description of Activity-rhythm Recordings and Their Implications.- 3 The Pacemaker and its Precision.- 4 A Class of Models for Mutual Entrainment of an Ensemble of Neurons.- 4.1 Structure and Dynamics of the Coupling.- 4.2 Intermittent Feedback.- 4.3 Discussion of the Coupling.- Appendix 4.A. Calculations Based on Conditional Probability.- Appendix 4.B. A FORTRAN Program for Computer Simulation.- 5 A “Type Model” and its Behavior: Partial and Loose-Knit Mutual Entrainment.- Appendix 5.A. Relative Coordination of Unentrained Pacers.- 6 Precision of Model Pacemakers.- 6.1 Precision, as Affected by Number of Pacers.- 6.2 Influence of Alpha and Beta on Precision.- 6.3 Precision as Affected by ?, x?b and ?.- 6.4 Threshold of the Discriminator.- 6.5 The Implications of Experimentally Observed Precision.- 6.6 Alternative Formulations of Parameters.- 6.7 The Relationship Between Pacer Input and Discriminator Output.- 6.8 Stochastic Variation in Threshold.- 6.9 Summary of Factors Influencing Precision.- Appendix 6.A. On the Influence of N upon Precision (by J. Thorson).- 7 Influences of Constant Light Intensity.- 7.1 Effects of Light upon Free-running Period.- 7.2 Effects of Light upon Duration and Intensity of Activity.- 7.3 Effects of Light Intensity upon Precision.- 7.4 Extremes of Constant Lighting Conditions.- 7.5 Ranges of Free-running Period Values.- 7.6 Summary.- Appendix 7.A. Aschoff’s Rule: Models with Other Parameter Values.- 8 A Brief Detour: Further Thoughts About the Discriminator of the Models.- 8.1 The Magnitude of Feedback.- 8.2 Stochastic Variation in Amount of Feedback.- 8.3 Can the Discriminator be Eliminated?.- 8.4 Threshold and Feedback: an Extreme Case.- 8.5 Inhibition vs Excitation.- Appendix 8.A. Pacemaker Ensembles with aThreshold of One: A Revolving Dictatorship.- 9 General Features of Entrainment: the Type Model.- 9.1 Entrainment of Nocturnal Animals: Inhibition by Light.- 9.2 Phasic vs Tonic Effects of Light.- 9.3 Entrainment of Diurnal Animals: Stimulation by Light.- 9.4 The “Anomalous” Effects of Threshold on Pacemaker Period.- 9.5 Entrainment with Gradual Transitions in Light Intensity.- 10 Responses to Single Light Pulses. Part I: Nocturnal Rodents.- 10.1 Phase Shifts of Coupled Stochastic Systems.- 10.2 Transients During Phase Advance: Their Origin and Significance.- 10.3 Interspecies Variations in Phase-response Curves.- 10.4 A Failure of the Elementary Class of Models.- Appendix 10.A. Transients Following Phase Shifts.- 11 Responses to Single Light Pulses. Part II: Diurnal Birds.- 11.1 Simulation Results: Several Deficiencies and Their Remedy.- 11.2 Phase-response Curves: a Review.- Appendix 11.A Constraints on Parameter Values.- 12 Plasticity in Pacemaker Period: a Dynamic Memory.- 12.1 After-effects of Initial Phase Conditions.- 12.2 After-effects of Entrainment.- 12.3 After-effects of Constant Light Intensity.- 12.4 After-effects of Phase Shifting and of Photo-period.- 12.5 Permanent vs Transitory Differences in Period.- 12.6 Bistability of a Pacemaker.- Appendix 12.A After-effects of Phase Shifting and of Photoperiod.- 12.A.1 Single Shifts of Phase.- 12.A.2 After-effects of Photoperiod.- Appendix 12.B Alternative Steady States in a Coupled Stochastic System.- 13 Predictions from Coupled Stochastic Systems.- 13.1 Introduction.- 13.2 Predictions Related to Aschoff’s Rule.- 13.3 Predictions Relating to Entrainment by Sinusoidal Light Cycles.- 13.4 Predictions About “Phasic” Effects of Light.- 13.5 Predictions About Transients.- 13.6 Predictions AboutAfter-effects.- 13.7 Predictions About Phase Shifting by “Dark Pulses”.- 13.8 Quantitative Predictions.- 14 Further Predictions: a Modest Success and Two Problem Cases.- 14.1 “Clamped” Free-run Experiments.- 14.2 Two Problem Cases.- Appendix 14.A Reconciling Phase Advance with Aftereffects.- 15 Morphology of the Models: Where is the Pacemaker?.- 15.1 The Pacers.- 15.2 The Discriminator.- 15.3 The Translation of Formalism into Concrete Morphology.- 16 A Reprise and Synopsis: On the Advantages of Apparent Redundancy.- References.- Author Index.

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