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Dynamics of Rate-Based and Spiking Balanced Random Networks

Difficulty level
Beginner
Type
Duration
1:39:32

This lesson gives an in-depth look into various types of neuronal networks, as well properties, parameters, and phenomena which characterize them. 

Topics covered in this lesson
  • What do single neurons compute?
  • What computational properties do they confer on network function?
  • Microcircuits.
  • Main focus: understanding cortex.
  • Collective properties of groups of neurons = neuronal populations.
  • Tuning curves.
  • Cortical columns and layers, a natural substrate for neuronal populations.
  • Rate-based dynamics. Converting a spike train into a continuous function. 
  • Feedforward networks with input- and output layers.
  • Dale's law.
  • Recurrent linear networks.
  • Selective amplification.
  • Steady state dynamics and nullclines.
  • Stable and unstable fixpoints, transitions/bifurcations,
  • Hopf bifurcation, phase planes.
  • Dynamics of single neurons.
  • Population activity, how to predict it, how it responds to novel input.
  • Stationary activity of networks.
  • Hebbian assemblies.
  • Homogeneous networks.
  • Integrate-and-fire neurons.
  • Large populations: going from discrete notation (sums) to continuous (integral).
  • Finite size effects.
  • Types of connectivity: random, distance dependent.
  • Mean-field approach.
  • Fixed point of population activity, finding it from the single neuron F-I curve. 
Prerequisites
  • Linear algebra - vectors and matrices, eigenvalues, eigenvectors
  • Calculus - equations with integrals