Brain activity in development
*all videos were created by myself in the lab of Professor William J. Moody
Before sensory inputs mature, spontaneous activity prepares brain systems to receive sensory input
"Activity" refers to electrical signals in brain cells
Activity guides neurogenesis (birth of new brain cells) early in development
Calcium indicator dyes may be used to visualize brain activity (example Right)
Media1.aviTimelapse of calcium indicator dye fluorescence
Waves in development
In my research, "waves" are when large populations of brain cells (neurons) are activity together.
Activity in one brain region activates neighboring regions, like "the wave" at a baseball stadium
Before my research, it was unknown whether these waves inititiated at random points, or from a consistent generator region
Media2.aviTimelapse of calcium indicator dye, then difference images at lower magnification the first video above
Early-career discoveries
Timelapse images indicated waves began at a discrete point of origin
Surgical isolation of this region prevent waves from propagating to the rest of the brain slice
