Neural Computation Unit - People

Takashi Nakano

The striatum, the cortical input site of the basal ganglia, receives dopamine as a neuromodulator from substantia nigra. The plasticity in cortico-striatal synapses is regulated by these input, which is suggested that it computes predicting future rewards in reinforcement learning model. Regardless of thorough investigation, the plasticity of the striatum has not been fully understood. Then I use systems biological approach to understand the striatal plasticity systematically and its role in the learning theory. I propose a kinetic model of intracellular signaling cascade in medium spiny neurons of the striatum. In order to examine the prediction from simulation study, I am also doing electrophysiological experiment by collaborating with Wickens unit.

Publications

C.V.

2005: Bachelor of Engineering from Osaka Univ.
2007: Master of Science from Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST)
2010: Ph.D. in Science from NAIST

2006-2010 : Research Assistant, Inithial Research Project, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST)
2010- : Researcher, OIST

Academic societies
- Japanese Neural Network Society
- Society for Neuroscience

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