Sten Grillner

Incontro Human brain project - 13 marzo 2018 (40895480892)

Sten Grillner is a prominent Swedish neuroscientist known for his pioneering work in the field of neuroscience, particularly in the study of the neural circuits that control locomotion.

Early Life and Education

Sten Grillner was born in Sweden. He pursued his higher education at the Karolinska Institute, where he earned his MD and PhD degrees. His early research focused on the mechanisms of neural control and motor systems.

Research and Contributions

Grillner's research has significantly advanced the understanding of how the central nervous system controls movement. He is best known for his work on the lamprey, a primitive vertebrate, which has provided insights into the basic principles of neural networks and motor control.

Neural Circuits and Locomotion

One of Grillner's major contributions is the identification and characterization of the central pattern generators (CPGs) in the spinal cord that are responsible for generating rhythmic motor patterns such as walking and swimming. His work has demonstrated how these CPGs are organized and how they interact with sensory inputs and higher brain centers to produce coordinated movement.

Computational Neuroscience

In addition to his experimental work, Grillner has also contributed to the field of computational neuroscience. He has developed detailed computational models of the neural circuits involved in locomotion, which have helped to elucidate the principles of neural computation and network dynamics.

Awards and Honors

Sten Grillner has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to neuroscience, including the prestigious Kavli Prize in Neuroscience. He is a member of several esteemed scientific organizations, including the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences.

Personal Life

Grillner continues to be active in research and mentoring young scientists. He is also involved in various scientific advisory boards and committees.

See Also

• Neuroscience
• Central pattern generator
• Motor control
• Computational neuroscience
• Kavli Prize