Dynamic Clamp

Dynamic-clamp is a fascinating electrophysiology technique that consists of merging living neurons with computational models. The dynamic-clamp (also called “conductance injection”) allows experimentalists and theoreticians to challenge neurons (or any other type of cell) with complex conductance stimuli generated by a computer. The technique can be implemented from neural simulation environments and a variety of custom-made or commercial systems. The real-time interaction between the computer and cell also enables the design of recording paradigms with unprecedented accuracy via a computational model of the electrode. Dynamic-Clamp: From Principles to Applications contains contributions from leading researchers in the field, who investigate these paradigms at the cellular or network level, in vivo and in vitro, and in different brain regions and cardiac cells. Topics discussed include the addition of artificially-generated synaptic activity to neurons; adding, amplifying or neutralizing voltage-dependent conductances; creating hybrid networks with real and artificial cells; attaching simulated dendritic tree structures to the living cell; and connecting different neurons. This book will be of interest to experimental biophysicists, neurophysiologists, and cardiac physiologists, as well as theoreticians, engineers, and computational neuroscientists. Graduate and undergraduate students will also find up-to-date coverage of physiological problems and how they are investigated.

The discipline of neurodesign is a highly interdisciplinary one, while at the same time in the process of maturing towards real-life applications. The breakthrough about to be achieved is to close the loop in communication between neural systems and electronic and mechatronic systems and actually let the nervous system adapt to the feedback from the man-made systems. To master this loop, scientists need a sound understanding of neurology, from the cellular to the systems scale, of man-made systems and how to connect the two. These scientists comprise medical scientists, neurologists and physiologists, engineers, as well as biophysicists. And they need the topics in a coherently written work with chapters building upon another.

This volume establishes the conceptual foundation for sustained investigation into tool development in neuroscience. Neuroscience relies on diverse and sophisticated experimental tools, and its ultimate explanatory target—our brains and hence the organ driving our behaviors—catapults the investigation of these research tools into a philosophical spotlight. The chapters in this volume integrate the currently scattered work on tool development in neuroscience into the broader philosophy of science community. They also present an accessible compendium for neuroscientists interested in the broader theoretical dimensions of their experimental practices. The chapters are divided into five thematic sections. Section 1 discusses the development of revolutionary research tools across neuroscience’s history and argues to various conclusions concerning the relationship between new research tools and theory progress in neuroscience. Section 2 shows how a focus on research tools and their development in neuroscience transforms some traditional epistemological issues and questions about knowledge production in philosophy of science. Section 3 speaks to the most general questions about the way we characterize the nature of the portion of the world that this science addresses. Section 4 discusses hybrid research tools that integrate laboratory and computational methods in exciting new ways. Finally, Section 5 extends research on tool development to the related science of genetics. The Tools of Neuroscience Experiment will be of interest to philosophers and philosophically minded scientists working at the intersection of philosophy and neuroscience.

Patch Clamp Methods and Protocols surveys the typical patch clamp applications and advises scientists on identifying problems and selecting the best technique in each instance. The experiments described require a basic level of electrophysiological training and aid the researcher in pursuing new areas of electrophysiology and using the patch clamp technique effectively. Patch Clamp Methods and Protocols is divided into three sections that cover the major areas of patch clamp application: Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biophysics. The first section provides examples and step by step instructions on how to use whole-cell and single-channel patch clamp methods for testing drugs in industrial settings. The second section provides a wide selection of patch clamp applications in physiological studies. The last part focuses on the biophysical applications of the patch clamp method using single channel recordings or statistical analysis of whole-cell currents in order to obtain parameters that describe ion channel properties or transmitter release. Individual techniques are explored within the area that they are applied most often. Researchers will find Patch Clamp Methods and Protocols to be an invaluable aid in the design and execution of a wide variety of patch clamp experiments, both on their own and in conjunction with other state-of-the-art methodologies.

Current regulatory guidelines for cardiac safety utilize hERG block and QT interval prolongation as risk markers. This strategy has been successful at preventing harmful drugs from being marketed, but criticized for leading to early withdrawal of potentially safe drugs. Here we collected a series of articles presenting new technological and conceptual advances, including refinement of ex vivo and in vitro assays, screens and models, and in silico approaches reflecting the increasing effort that has been put forward by regulatory agencies, industry, and academia to try and address the need of a more accurate, mechanistically-based paradigm of proarrhythmic potential of drugs. This Research Topic is dedicated to the memory of Dr. J. Jeremy Rice, our wonderful friend and colleague.

Pathological heart rhythms are a major health issue. In this book experts from various fields provide an important context for understanding the complicated molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie normal and pathophysiological cardiac rhythms. Individual chapters cover a full range of topics, including the ionic basis of pacemaking, the role of specific channels and transporters in sinoatrial node pacemaking, altered intracellular Ca2+ handling in response to disease, computer modeling of the action potentials of pacemaker and working cardiomyocytes, genetic and molecular basis of inherited arrhythmias and a review of established and novel antiarrhythmic agents. Due to the key importance of the specialized pacemaker cells and tissue (sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes) in maintaining heart rate and rhythm, special emphasis is placed on the peculiar electrophysiology of these cells.

Biomedical Engineering can be seen as a mix of Medicine, Engineering and Science. In fact, this is a natural connection, as the most complicated engineering masterpiece is the human body. And it is exactly to help our “body machine” that Biomedical Engineering has its niche. This book brings the state-of-the-art of some of the most important current research related to Biomedical Engineering. I am very honored to be editing such a valuable book, which has contributions of a selected group of researchers describing the best of their work. Through its 36 chapters, the reader will have access to works related to ECG, image processing, sensors, artificial intelligence, and several other exciting fields.

Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary field that strives to understand the functioning of neural systems at levels ranging from biomolecules and cells to behaviour and higher brain functions (perception, memory, cognition). Neurophysics has flourished over the past three decades, becoming an indelible part of neuroscience, and has arguably entered its maturity. It encompasses a vast array of approaches stemming from theoretical physics, computer science, and applied mathematics. This book provides a detailed review of this field from basic concepts to its most recent development.