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On the Nested Hierarchical Organization of CNS: Basic Characteristics of Neuronal Molecular Networks

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Computational Neuroscience: Cortical Dynamics (NN 2003)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNCS,volume 3146))

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Abstract

It has been suggested that the Central Nervous System(CNS) is built as a “nested system of networks of networks” structured according to hierarchical principles. Thus, it is possible to recognize networks at multiple scales (miniaturisation principle) moving top-down from neuronal to molecular networks. Such a nested organization of the CNS leads to the problem how circulation and integration of information at different levels of miniaturisation (i.e., macro-scale, meso-scale and micro-scale) take place. We suggest that local circuits are the highly specialised meso-scale level capable of functionally interconnecting macro- with micro-scale level. Furthermore, it is suggested that the same modes for communication (Wiring and Volume Transmission) are in operation at various miniaturisation levels. This indicates a sort of “fractal organization” of the CNS. Detailed analysis of molecular networks is discussed. In particular, receptor-receptor interactions are examined as an important input to horizontal molecular networks located at plasma membrane level.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Physiology,  

    Luigi Francesco Agnati, Letizia Santarossa & Giuseppina Leo

  2. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 287, 41100, Modena, Italy

    Susanna Genedani

  3. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular, Biology of the University of Barcelona, Martí Franquès 1, E-08028, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

    Enric I. Canela, Rafael Franco & Carmen Lluis

  4. Department of Health and Human Services, Intramural Research Programm, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, Maryland, 21224

    Amina Woods & Sergi Ferré

  5. Department of Neurosciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

    Kjell Fuxe

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  1. Luigi Francesco Agnati
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  2. Letizia Santarossa
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  3. Susanna Genedani
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  4. Enric I. Canela
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  5. Giuseppina Leo
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  6. Rafael Franco
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  7. Amina Woods
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  8. Carmen Lluis
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  10. Kjell Fuxe
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Complex Systems Studies, Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, and, Department of Biophysics, Research Institute for Particle and Nuclear Physics of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, MI 49006, U.S.A.

    Péter Érdi

  2. Department of Psychology, Second University of Naples, and IIASS, Via Pellegrino 19, 84019, Vietri sul Mare (SA), Italy

    Anna Esposito

  3. Dipartimento di Fisica “E.R. Caianiello”, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi (SA), Italy

    Maria Marinaro

  4. Dipartimento di Fisica “E.R. Caianiello”, Università degli Studi di Salernopar, Via S. Allende, 84081, Baronissi (SA), Italy

    Silvia Scarpetta

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Agnati, L.F. et al. (2004). On the Nested Hierarchical Organization of CNS: Basic Characteristics of Neuronal Molecular Networks. In: Érdi, P., Esposito, A., Marinaro, M., Scarpetta, S. (eds) Computational Neuroscience: Cortical Dynamics. NN 2003. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 3146. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-27862-7_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-27862-7_2

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