A computational model of spindle oscillations Original Research Article

A model of the thalamocortical system was constructed for the purpose of a computational analysis of spindle. The parameters used in the model were based on experimental measurements. The model included a reticular thalamic nucleus and a dorsal layer. The thalamic cells were capable of undergoing a low threshold Ca2+ mediated spike. The simulation was used to investigate the plausibility an ramifications of certain proposals that have been put forward for the production of spindle. An initial stimulus to the model reticular thalamic layer was found to give rise to activity resembling spindle. The emergent population oscillations were analyzed for factors that affected its frequency and amplitude. The role of cortical feedback to the pacemaking RE layer was also investigated. Finally, a non-linear dynamics analysis was conducted on the emergent population oscillations. This activity was found to yield a positive Lyapunov exponent and define and attractor of low dimensions. Excitatory feedback was found to decrease the dimensionality of the attractor at the reticular thalamic layer.