People
Maksim Bazhenov
Mailing Address:
Cell Biology and NeuroscienceBiological Sciences /1107
University of California
Riverside, CA 92521
Phone: (951) 827-4370
Fax: (951) 827-3087
Email: maksim.bazhenov@ucr.edu
Website
Degree(s):
PhD 1994 Nizhni Novgorod State University, RussiaBSc 1989 Nizhni Novgorod State University, Russia
College/Division Affiliation:
College of Natural and Agricultural SciencesAreas Of Expertise:
Large-scale Modeling of Neural Networks; Information Coding in the Olfactory System; Sleep Rhythms; Trauma-induced Epileptogenesis; Role of Neuronal Plasticity in Memory and LearningAwards / Honors:
1989 Masters Degree with Honors, Nizhny Novgorod State University, Russia
1990 Extraordinary Young Scientist Award, Nizhny Novgorod State University, Russia
1996-97 Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship
Research Summary:
I am interested in understanding cellular and network mechanisms underlying normal and paroxysmal oscillations in the brain and the role of neuronal oscillations and synchrony in information processing and behaviour. Oscillatory activity is an emerging property of the brain. The patterns of brain oscillations depend on its functional state and serve different tasks. Sleep slow rhythms can mediate the processes of synaptic plasticity and contribute to memory formation. Fast oscillatory activities are associated with cognitive processes and are involved in transmission of information through the sensory pathways. Transformation of normal brain oscillations into paroxysmal rhythms is associated with severe clinical conditions such as epilepsy. Oscillations in different brain systems can be mediated by similar mechanisms therefore providing common ground for studying brain functions. Understanding these common mechanisms is the primary goal of my research program. Our work focuses on the following areas: (1) Studying cellular and network mechanisms for normal (sleep, attentive states) and abnormal (epilepsy) oscillations in the thalamocortical system; (2) Studying role of oscillations and synchrony in olfactory coding—this project is targeted to discover the general principles and the neural circuitry involved in the encoding of sensory information in the brain. To address these questions, we use broad spectrum of experimental and computational approaches ranging from conductance based models developed from experimental data to different classes of simplified neuronal models that allow large-scale analysis with realistic network structure.
Selected Publications:
Lab Personnel: +
- Assisi, Collins
- Postgraduate Researcher — Olfaction