Temporal coding: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 18:08, 10 May 2012

Revision as of 18:11, 10 May 2012

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==Implications==

Optogenetic technology has the potential to help researchers crack the neural code and enable the correction of spike abnormalities at the root of several neurological and psychological disorders.<ref>Han X, Qian X, Stern P, Chuong AS, Boyden ES. “Informational lesions: optical perturbations of spike timing and neural synchrony via microbial opsin gene fusions.” Cambridge, MA: MIT Media Lad, 2009. PubMed.</ref> There is a possibility that the neuron encodes information in individual spike timing, and key signals could be missed by attempting to crack the code while looking only at mean firing rates. Understanding any temporally encoded aspects of the neural code and being able to replicate these sequences in neurons could allow for greater control and treatment of neurological disorders such as [[depression]] and [[Parkinson’s Disease]].<ref name="youtube.com"/> Controlling the precise spike intervals in single cells is more effective in controlling brain activity than adding chemicals and neurotransmitters intravenously.{{Citation<ref needed|datename=May"youtube.com">Karl 2012}}Diesseroth, Lecture. “Personal Growth Series: Karl Diesseroth on Cracking the Neural Code.” Google Tech Talks. November 21, 2008. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SLdSbp6VjM</ref> Such medical possibilities bring up ethical controversies about such explicit manipulation of the brain. While the benefits could be enormous, so could the abuses. However, understanding where the brain uses a temporal code is important and valuable for neuroscientists and patients alike.

==See also==