Modeling hippocampal theta oscillation: Applications in neuropharmacology and robot navigation

This paper introduces a biologically realistic mathematical, computational model of theta (≈5 Hz) rhythm generation in the hippocampal CA1 region and some of its possible further applications in drug discovery and in robotic/computational models of navigation. The model shown here uses the conductance based description of nerve cells: populations of basket cells, alveus/lacunosum-moleculare interneurons and pyramidal cells are used to model the hippocampal CA1 and a fast spiking GABAergic interneuron population for modelling the septal influence. Results of the model show that the septo-hippocampal feed-back loop is capable of robust theta rhythm generation due to proper timing of pyramidal cells and synchronization within the basket cell network via recurrent connections.