Functional analysis of cortical neuronal networks

Andreas Draguhn Institute for Physiology and Pathophysiology University of Heidelberg INF 326 69120 Heidelberg Germany Phone:  +49-6221-544057 Fax:  +49-06221-546364 Email:  andreas.draguhn@physiologie.uni-heidelberg.de Website:  https://www.medizinische-fakultaet-hd.uni-heidelberg.de/

Research Summary

Our group is interested in coordinated patterns of activity in neuronal networks. We focus on network oscillations in memory-related systems, especially the mammalian hippocampal formation. Using in vitro and in vivo electrophysiological methods, we analyze patterned activity at different system levels from single cells to freely-moving mice. Leading questions are:
- Which mechanisms underlie coherent network oscillations?
- How are cells bound into co-active ensembles?
- How do different (oscillatory) patterns overlap and interact?
- How stable or plastic are multi-neuronal network patterns?

Special interests are devoted to ectopic action potential generation in axons and to the function and plasticity of GABAergic synapses.

We cooperate with colleagues from computational neuroscience, molecular neurobiology and neuroanatomy including Hilmar Bading (Heidelberg), Heinz Beck (Bonn), Michael Frotscher (Hamburg), Martin Korte (Braunschweig), Ulrike Müller (Heidelberg), Adriano Tort (Natal, Brazil), Roger D. Traub (New York), and others.

Structure of the Group