Statistical characterization of cell ensembles in neuronal recordings (D01)

• Subject Area: Cognitive, Systems and Behavioural Neurobiology
• Term: from 2015 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 243553651

This project shall analyze the hitherto loosely defined concept of a "cell assembly" or "neuronal ensemble" with rigorous methods. We will develop statistical analysis approaches for multi-cell recordings and calcium imaging sequences that treat the temporal scale, precision, and internal organization of coherent activity patterns as free parameters, to be determined from the data. The project will deal with the detection and statistical validation of such patterns, and with characterization of their dynamical changes. Methods will be probed on simulation and experimental data, aiming to unravel commonalities or differences among the different networks examined within the consortium.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1134: Functional ensembles: cellular components, patterned activity and plasticity of co-active neurons in local networks
• Applicant Institution: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg
• Co-Applicant Institution: Zentralinstitut für Seelische Gesundheit (ZI)
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Daniel Durstewitz; Professor Dr. Fred A. Hamprecht