Data/hora: 10/06/2024 07:34:28

Provedor de dados: | Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research
País: | Brazil
Título: | Learning about brain physiology and complexity from the study of the epilepsies
Autores: | Garcia-Cairasco,N.
Data: | 2009-01-01
Ano: | 2009
Palavras-chave: | Complex systems; Emergence; Epileptology; Neural networks; E-Neuroscience; Neuroinformatics.
Resumo: | The brain is a complex system, which produces emergent properties such as those associated with activity-dependent plasticity in processes of learning and memory. Therefore, understanding the integrated structures and functions of the brain is well beyond the scope of either superficial or extremely reductionistic approaches. Although a combination of zoom-in and zoom-out strategies is desirable when the brain is studied, constructing the appropriate interfaces to connect all levels of analysis is one of the most difficult challenges of contemporary neuroscience. Is it possible to build appropriate models of brain function and dysfunctions with computational tools? Among the best-known brain dysfunctions, epilepsies are neurological syndromes that reach a variety of networks, from widespread anatomical brain circuits to local molecular environments. One logical question would be: are those complex brain networks always producing maladaptive emergent properties compatible with epileptogenic substrates? The present review will deal with this question and will try to answer it by illustrating several points from the literature and from our laboratory data, with examples at the behavioral, electrophysiological, cellular and molecular levels. We conclude that, because the brain is a complex system compatible with the production of emergent properties, including plasticity, its functions should be approached using an integrated view. Concepts such as brain networks, graphics theory, neuroinformatics, and e-neuroscience are discussed as new transdisciplinary approaches dealing with the continuous growth of information about brain physiology and its dysfunctions. The epilepsies are discussed as neurobiological models of complex systems displaying maladaptive plasticity.
Tipo: | Info:eu-repo/semantics/article
Idioma: | Inglês
Identificador: | http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-879X2009000100012
Editor: | Associação Brasileira de Divulgação Científica
Relação: | 10.1590/S0100-879X2009000100012
Formato: | text/html
Fonte: | Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research  v.42 n.1 2009
Fonte: | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess