Three-dimensional distribution of cortical synapses: a replicated point pattern-based analysis.

ABSTRACT: The biggest problem when analyzing the brain is that its synaptic connections are extremely complex. Generally, the billions of neurons making up the brain exchange information through two types of highly specialized structures: chemical synapses (the vast majority) and so-called gap junctions (a substrate of one class of electrical synapse). Here we are interested in exploring the three-dimensional spatial distribution of chemical synapses in the cerebral cortex. Recent research has showed that the three-dimensional spatial distribution of synapses in layer III of the neocortex can be modeled by a random sequential adsorption (RSA) point process, i.e., synapses are distributed in space almost randomly, with the only constraint that they cannot overlap. In this study we hypothesize that RS

SUBMITTER: Anton-Sanchez L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4143965 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature