Computer-aided research into a natural neural network

Abstract

While artificial neural networks are being applied to solving problems in signal processing and other domains, much remains to be discovered about how even the simpler biological neural networks function. Studying simpler examples of natural systems promises to advance our understanding of principles of organization of neural tissue wherever it occurs. It also may prove useful in the development of new computer architectures. Accordingly, the authors have begun the study of the macular linear bioaccelerometers, or balance organs of mammals, using the rat as the model for the class. This effort includes creating a computer-based workbench that a scientist can use to generate geometric reconstructions of neural tissue from electron microscope serial sections, to create a functional model of information flow within the neural tissue, and ultimately to generate computer animations to visualize how the network functions. Their work to data is based upon the study of long series of sections in a transmission electron microscope. The sections are photographed and the photographs are assembled into montages. Selected nerves and receptor units synapsing with them (their receptive fields) are next traced onto transparencies from the montages. The tracings, which are cross-sectional contours, are digitized with a tablet and stored inmore » data files on a personal computer. The files are transferred to a high performance graphics workstation, where software has been developed to reconstruct these sets of contours as polygonal objects, display them in wireframe or solid form, and create sequence files that can be used to produce a computer animation on videotape.« less