Neurons in Action: Computer Simulations With Neurolab

by John W. Moore

The Neurons in Action tutorials are unique CD-ROM-based learning tools that combine text with computer simulations of laboratory experiments in neurophysiology. Using the professional research simulator NEURON*, students perform experiments to affect the generation of action potentials, synaptic potentials, and the spread or propagation of voltages within a neuron. Parameters that are under the student's control include neuronal geometry, ion concentrations, ion channel density, degree of myelination, and, for a synapse, its conductance, reversal potential, timecourse, and location on dendrites. With its novel use of interactive movies, Neurons in Action allows the student to visualize changing voltage patterns not only in time but in space, providing insight into nerve function that is simply not possible with conventional text and figure presentations. The Neurons in Action tutorials, organized into three levels of difficulty, may be used for beginning as well as advanced students. The Partial Demyelination Tutorial is especially useful for medical students. NeuroLab's simulations can enhance the impact of lectures and conferences where the students can immediately see the effects of parameter changes, channel blocking by toxins, etc. The simulations provide definitive answers to questions raised by students as well as queries posed by the instructor. The tutorials guide the student in managing the panels that control simulations and the windows that plot the experimental observations. Because Neurons in Action documents are written in HTML format and displayed by an internet browser, the student can make extensive use of hyperlinks to answer questions raised by the tutorials and to extend the information supporting the experiments. The text may be read on the computer monitor or from the published manual accompanying the CD-ROM. The CD includes, in the Appendix, an extensive discussion of the origin of the Hodgkin-Huxley equations as well as PDF files of the Hodgkin-Huxley papers (and other classic papers) hyperlinked to the text of the tutorials.

10 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

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John Wilson Moore earned a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Virginia in 1945.
He was Assistant Professor of Physics at the Medical College of Virginia (1946-1950), Biophysicist at the Naval Medical Research Institute (1950-1954), Associate Chief of the Laboratory of Biophysics, NINDB, NIH (1954-1961), Professor of Physiology & Pharmacology, Duke University (1961-1988), Professor of Neurobiology, Duke University (1988-1990) and Professor Emeritus of Neurobiology, Duke University (1990- )