Hermann Cuntz, Ernst Strüngmann Institute for Neuroscience, Frankfurt: Scaling Behaviour of Neural Structure and Function derived from Wiring Principles

Abstract

Neural circuits in different species are required to perform similar computations on a wide range of circuit sizes. To ensure this, the number of neurons or the size of neurons can be increased. Alternatively, an entirely different  connectivity can be in use. In order to study the scaling behaviour of neural circuits we use generative models that predict neural structure from simple principles such as optimal wiring. We find that responses to synaptic inputs are in principle independent of dendritic tree length or branching structure. The scaling behaviour of dendritic trees is well captured by connectivity requirements and optimal wiring constraints. Macroscopic features of neural circuits show more structure with increasing neuron numbers as a result of wiring considerations.

Hermann Cuntz, Computational Neuroanatomy, Ernst Strüngmann Institute for Neuroscience, Frankfurt

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Ulrich Egert