Research report 2014 - Associated Institute - Ernst Strüngmann Institute (ESI) for Neuroscience in Cooperation with Max-Planck-Society

Computational Cajal – modelling the formation of neural circuits

Authors
Cuntz, Hermann
Departments
Cuntz Lab
Summary
In the 19th century, Santiago Ramón y Cajal carefully immortalised neural circuits in beautiful drawings. He saw that they are composed of individual nerve cells connected to each other via their widespread input and output arborisations. He also postulated that neural circuits are arranged so that the least possible amount of material and space is used and signals are conducted as fast as possible. Using these principles we created computer models that accurately reproduce the shape of real neurons. Using these principles we now plan to model the shape of entire brain areas.

For the full text, see the German version.

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