Stark Neurosciences Research Institute
402 N. Blackford Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202-3216

Research Interests

My research interests are in the area of mathematical and computational neuroscience, in particular, applications of dynamical systems to the problems of neurobiology and medicine. I am using mathematical and computational methods to study the dynamics of the nervous system to get insights into its function. My current research is concentrated on the dynamics of basal ganglia – brain nuclei, which, among other things, control motor programs and are impacted in Parkinson’s disease. Despite the large amount of factual knowledge about basal ganglia at all levels – from cells to behavior, the principles of function of basal ganglia in Parkinson’s disease (and other diseases involving basal ganglia) and even in normal conditions are far from being fully understood. Mathematical models help to bridge the gap between different levels of biological knowledge, provide insights about the principles of the function of neuronal system and be effective tool for the development of practical applications (such as treatment strategies).

Publications:

J.M. Hurtado, L.L. Rubchinsky, K.A. Sigvardt, V.L. Wheelock, C.T.E. Pappas. Temporal evolution of oscillations and synchrony in GPi/muscle pairs in Parkinson’s disease. J. Neurophysiol. 93: 1569-1584, 2005.

J.M. Hurtado, L.L. Rubchinsky, K.A. Sigvardt. Statistical method for detection of phase locking episodes in neural oscillations. J. Neurophysiol. 91:1883-1898, 2004.

L.L. Rubchinsky, N. Kopell, K.A. Sigvardt. Modeling facilitation and inhibition of competing motor programs in basal ganglia subthalamic nucleus - pallidal circuits. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 100: 14427-14432, 2003.




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