Stefan C. Müller

Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, Institut für Experimentelle
Physik, Abteilung Biophysik, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg

Among the most fascinating properties of living systems is their
ability to organize themselves spontaneously into various types of
forms and structures. This phenomenon of self-organization may either
occur in the temporal domain yielding periodic or aperiodic
oscillations, or it may take place in space, thus generating
stationary or propagating patterns. In a variety of systems such
spatiotemporal patterns arise spontaneously from a state that was
originally uniform and homogeneous, and chemical or biochemical
reactions as well as transport processes are involved.

These waves are associated with a short but drastic increase in
neuronal activity followed by prolonged and pronounced metabolic
changes, whereas the neuronal activity then is almost completely
reduced. As a model example we used retina to characterize wave
properties including the complex behaviour of spiral-shaped waves.

Assuming weak excitability in the visual cortex, the spatiotemporal
evolution and the overall shape of the visual aura are well explained
by the propagation properties of SD. The findings emphasize that
migraine hallucinations can provide important insights into the
functional organization of the human visual system.

References

S. C. Müller, Th. Plesser: Spiral Wave Dynamics, in: R. Kapral,
K. Showalter (eds.): Chemical Waves and Patterns, Kluwer, Dordrecht,
1995, pp. 57-92.

S. Grill, V. S. Zykov, S. C. Müller: J. Phys. Chem., 100, 19-82-19088
(1996).

O. Steinbock, F. Siegert, S. C. Müller and C. J. Weijer:
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 90, 7332-7335 (1993)

N. A. Gorelova, J. Bures: J. Neurobiol., 14, 353-363 (1983).

M. A. Dahlem, R. Engelmann, S. Lawel, S. C. Müller:
Eur. J. Neurobiol., 12, 767- 770 (2000).