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Theoretical Investigation of NMDA Effect on the Cerebral Cortex
Theoretical Investigation of NMDA Effect on the Cerebral Cortex
Abstract
This thesis examines the dynamical behaviour of incorporating NMDA (an excitatory
neurotransmitter) for the electrodynamic model of the cerebral cortex. The
model used is the mean-field model developed by Steyn-Ross et al. (2005) which
describes the behaviour of the cortex in terms of parameters averaged over spatially
localised populations. The behaviour of the model is determined by the four control
parameters: inhibitory effect li, subcortical drive s, and NMDA neurotransmitter
e ect set by an excitatory factor le and the magnesium concentration C. Adopting
this model could give a better understanding of the cortex functionality and the
anaesthetic mechanism.
The model predicts that there are either one or three stationary states available to
the cortex. We identify two of these with highly activated state and a quiescent
state and focus on the transition between the two. Theoretical stability predictions
(eigenvalue analysis) verified by a numerical simulation show that the system is
unstable between the two Hopf bifurcations. In addition, in the stable region the
steady states remains stable under a small perturbation, while in the unstable region
either a transition between states or a limit cycle (oscillation) occurs depending on
the position of the steady state.
Type
Thesis
Type of thesis
Series
Citation
AL Saidi, W. H. K. (2008). Theoretical Investigation of NMDA Effect on the Cerebral Cortex (Thesis, Master of Science (MSc)). The University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10289/2465
Date
2008
Publisher
The University of Waikato
Degree
Supervisors
Rights
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