2015-16: CCNS: Mathematics of Neural Networks and Neural Codes: March 9-11, 2016
Workshop Information
Participation is by invitation only.
This workshop will be held at SAMSI in Research Triangle Park, NC.
Description:
This workshop will feature a full day of talks, targeting specific areas in the theory of neural networks and neural codes that are currently active areas of research. The second and third days will be focused on research sessions to further collaboration among the participants.
On the networks side, the focus is on training and fitting various types of networks (discrete models, rate models, spiking models) to produce dynamic activity patterns. This necessitates both a deep understanding of the dynamics of the networks in question, as well as state-of-the-art fitting techniques. Recent theoretical advances have led to an improved understanding of the dynamics of threshold-linear network, spiking networks with embedded cell assemblies, and pattern storage in Hopfield networks. Data sets for training these networks consist of synthetic spiking data, generated by spiking networks where we can control the "ground truth," and real spiking data from electrophysiological recordings.
On the neural coding side, the emphasis is on the further development of topological and algebraic methods for analyzing neural activity from simultaneous recordings of neurons. This activity can be pre-processed to obtain neural correlations and neural codes. Many mathematical questions arise when trying to understand how important features of correlation or coding structure can be extracted from these data. The workshop will explain recent advances to participants, and build on existing research collaborations.
Workshop Organizers:
Carina Curto, Penn State, Math Dept
Brent Doiron, University of Pittsburgh, Math Dept
Chris Hillar, UC-San Francisco and UC-Berkeley, Neuroscience Dept
Vladimir Itskov, Penn State, Math Dept
Directorate Liaison: Tom Witelski, Duke University
Questions: [email protected]
Schedule
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
at SAMSI
| 9:00-9:15 | Registration |
| 9:15-9:30 | Opening Remarks |
| Morning Session - Recurrent Neural Networks | |
| 9:30-10:00 |
Chris Hillar, Univ. of California, SF and Berkeley |
| 10:00-11:00 | Carina Curto, Penn State University Dynamics of Threshold-Linear Networks |
| 11:00-11:30 |
Chengcheng Huang, University of Pittsburgh Attentional Effects on Within-Area and Between-Areas Noise Correlations |
| 11:30-12:00 |
Aubrey Thompson, Carnegie Mellon University and University of Pittsburgh |
| 12:00 | Chris Hillar, Univ. of California, SF and Berkeley Fitting Recurrent Networks |
| 1:00-2:30 | Lunch |
| Afternoon session - Algebra and Topology of Neural Codes | |
| 2:30-3:00 | Carina Curto, Penn State University Overview of Topology in Neuroscience |
| 3:00-4:00 |
Chad Guisti, University of Pennsylvania |
| 4:00-5:00 | Vladimir Itskov, Penn State University Convex Neural Codes |
| 5:00-6:00 | Nora Youngs, Harvey Mudd College Algebraic Analysis of Neural Codes Using the Neural Ring |
Thursday, March 10, 2016
at SAMSI
| 9:30-10:30 | Discussion of Network-related Research Projects (Led by Carina Curto, Brent Doiron, Chris Hillar) |
| 10:30-1:00 | Collaborative Research Time |
| 1:00-2:00 | Lunch |
| 2:00-3:00 | Discussion of Topology-Related Research Projected (led by Vladimir Itskov) |
| 3:00-5:30 | Collaborative Research Time |
Friday, March 11, 2016
at SAMSI
| 9:30-12:00 | Research Sessions |
| 12:00-1:00 | Lunch |
| 1:00-3:00 | Collaborative Research Time |
| 3:00 | Workshop Adjourns |
