Modeling hippocampal theta oscillation: Applications in neuropharmacology and robot navigation

Abstract

This article introduces a biologically realistic mathematical, computational model of theta (≈5 Hz) rhythm generation in the hippocampal CA1 region and some of its possible further applications in drug discovery and in robotic/computational models of navigation. The model shown here uses the conductance-based description of nerve cells: Populations of basket cells, alveus/lacunosum-moleculare interneurons, and pyramidal cells are used to model the hippocampal CA1 and a fast-spiking GABAergic interneuron population for modeling the septal influence. Results of the model show that the septo-hippocampal feedback loop is capable of robust theta rhythm generation due to proper timing of pyramidal cells and synchronization within the basket cell network via recurrent connections. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Int Syst 21: 903–917, 2006.