9409202 Wang Several different types of rhythmic oscillations can be recorded from the surface of the brain during different behaviors, particularly during different stages of sleep. Oscillations of about 7-14 Hz occur during early stages of sleep and slower oscillations of 0.5-5 Hz occur during later stages of sleep. It is known that the 7-14 Hz oscillations arises from the thalamus and there is some evidence that the slower oscillation may also be a thalamic oscillation. However, it is not known exactly how the neurons of the thalamus produce these oscillations. In this study from a young physicist, mathematical and computational modelling studies of these rhythmic oscillations will be carried out. The role of connections between the thalamus and cortex and the role of properties of individual thalamic nerve cells in the production of these oscillations will be examined. These theoretical studies should provide insights into the original of these oscillations as well as those that occur in the brain during sensory perception and those associated with other behaviors.
