Wulfram Gerstner is Director of the Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and a Professor of Life Sciences and Computer Science at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland. He studied physics in Tubingen and Munich and holds a PhD from the Technical University of Munich. His research in computational neuroscience concentrates on models of spiking neurons and synaptic plasticity. He teaches computational neuroscience to physicists, computer scientists, mathematicians, and life scientists. He is a co-author of Spiking Neuron Models (Cambridge, 2002).

Klappentext

This solid introduction uses the principles of physics and the tools of mathematics to approach fundamental questions of neuroscience.

Zusammenfassung
Exploring neuron models, the neural code, decision making and learning, this textbook provides a thorough and up-to-date introduction to computational neuroscience for advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students. With step-by-step explanations, end-of-chapter summaries and classroom-tested exercises, it is ideal for courses or for self-study.

Inhalt

Preface; Part I. Foundations of Neuronal Dynamics: 1. Introduction; 2. The Hodgkin Huxley model; 3. Dendrites and synapses; 4. Dimensionality reduction and phase plane analysis; Part II. Generalized Integrate-and-Fire Neurons: 5. Nonlinear integrate-and-fire models; 6. Adaptation and firing patterns; 7. Variability of spike trains and neural codes; 8. Noisy input models: barrage of spike arrivals; 9. Noisy output: escape rate and soft threshold; 10. Estimating models; 11. Encoding and decoding with stochastic neuron models; Part III. Networks of Neurons and Population Activity: 12. Neuronal populations; 13. Continuity equation and the Fokker Planck approach; 14. The integral-equation approach; 15. Fast transients and rate models; Part IV. Dynamics of Cognition: 16. Competing populations and decision making; 17. Memory and attractor dynamics; 18. Cortical field models for perception; 19. Synaptic plasticity and learning; 20. Outlook: dynamics in plastic networks; Bibliography; Index.