Physical Modelling of Neural Circuits

Paul Rhodes, Evolved Machines, Palo Alto, California

Abstract:

This topic outline is intended to address the tools required to undertake simulations of physiologically plausible neuronal circuits. The goal is to review and discuss the underpinning and the relevant equations necessary to model single neurons and synaptic interactions between connected neurons, a review of practical tools for the development of validatable and predictive models of a neuronal type given a set of current clamp recordings from its soma and dendrites, and to predict synaptic responses for that model cell.

Topics discussed may include:

-Ion channels and currents
-Action potentials
-Foundations of the simulation of neuronal processes
-Ion channel families and subtypes
-Markov state models of ion channels
-Ca2+ modeling
-Neuronal simulation tools
-Procedures for developing compartment models of single cells
-Exemplary models of single neurons
-Functional consequences of active dendrites
-Synaptic transmission
-Circuits and networks of neurons
-Computing requirements for the simulation of neural circuitry
-A discussion of the prospects of neuromorphic engineering - embedding neural circuitry in digital or analog chips