November 4
@
12:00 PM
–
1:00 PM
Traveling waves and space-time codes
Krishna Jayant, PhD
Assistant Professor
Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering
Purdue University
Abstract:
Traveling waves in the mammalian cortex mediate vital aspects of animal cognition, such as stimuli perception and working memory. Theoretical results suggest these waves preserve timing and are critical for plasticity across long-range neural circuits. Therefore, revealing the circuit mechanisms underlying sensory-evoked traveling waves is essential to understanding the neural basis of sensory perception. In this talk, I will describe our recent efforts using 2D nanotextured transparent ECoG-style electrodes to map circuits orchestrating cortical wave dynamics. First, by simultaneously mapping local-field-potentials and cellular ensemble dynamics (via two-photon calcium imaging), we will describe the circuit features tied to traveling waves under active and passive whisker touch in the barrel cortex and showcase how sparse waves are a critical component of accurate sensory perception. We will show how distinct translaminar circuit dynamics are crucial in deciding wave structure and propagation. Our results help establish a model in which translaminar spacetime patterns, organized by motor cortical feedback, sculpt touch-evoked traveling waves. I will then highlight and describe recent results from the motor cortex in which traveling waves support accurate timing, establishing how waves support communication across distances. Time permitting, I will briefly summarize our ongoing efforts in creating unique 3D transparent nanoelectrode arrays to map traveling waves and circuit dynamics across cortical regions.
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