- Comp-neuro - lists.cnsorg.org

CNS*2025 workshop "Brain-Inspired Computing"
by Guozhang Chen June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Dear Colleagues, We are excited to announce the "Brain-Inspired Computing" workshop at CNS2025, taking place on July 8th, 2025 (9:00 AM–12:30 PM) in Florence, Italy. This workshop will explore the intersection of neural computation and artificial intelligence, featuring cutting-edge research on self-supervised learning in cortical circuits, biologically validated AI models, and energy-efficient neuromorphic hardware. The workshop will bridge neuroscience and AI, discussing: Self-supervised learning mechanisms in the neocortex Biological validation of AI models via optogenetic perturbation Energy-efficient computing inspired by neural circuit architecture Neuromorphic hardware for rapid, low-power learning Confirmed Speakers Rui Ponte Costa (University of Oxford, UK) Guillaume Bellec (Vienna University of Technology, Austria) Guozhang Chen (Peking University, China) Robert Legenstein (Graz University of Technology, Austria): Shogo Ohmae (Chinese Institute for Brain Research, China) Yuliang Zang (Tianjin University, China) Details available on our workshop page: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ChEKLctgh7j3Q5pmRLYEEBp-U0G9akuMTehfTBf… Who Should Attend? Researchers in computational neuroscience, AI, and machine learning Engineers in neuromorphic hardware and brain-inspired computing Students and professionals interested in biological-computational convergence Please share this invitation with colleagues who may be interested. We look forward to exploring the frontiers of brain-inspired computing in Florence with you! Regards, Guozhang Chen & Yunliang Zang

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NeuroAI workshop at CNS2025 (9 July, 2925)
by Chen, Zhe June 25, 2025

June 25, 2025

Dear Colleagues, We are excited to announce the upcoming CNS*2025 Workshop "BRAIN 2.0: Emerging Topics in NeuroAI”, to be held on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, in Florence, Italy. https://cns2025florence.sched.com/event/f85c99dfa3e704f591b8c17bfb732e86 This workshop is inspired by the goal of the NIH BRAIN (Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies) Initiative to develop theories, models, and methods to understand brain functions and their causal links to behaviors. The modern advances in neuroscience and AI have generated growing interests in NeuroAI, as witnessed by the feedback from the recent NIH BRAIN NeuroAI workshop (Nov. 12-13, 2024). Briefly, NeuroAI is aimed to, first, use AI to understand and improve the brain and behaviors, and second, to develop brain-inspired AI systems for robust, faster and more efficient operations and performances. Motivated by the new wave and developments in NeuroAI, this workshop invites leading experts and new investigators from various research backgrounds to discuss many emerging research topics. The goal of this full-day workshop is to focus on building the bridge between AI and neuroscience, to discuss new research directions and outstanding questions, and to foster team collaborations and open science. Research topics of interest include but not limited to neural transformers and foundation models, new neural network architectures, distributional or meta reinforcement learning, structural reasoning and inference, large language models (LLMs), and digital twins brain. The format of the workshop will consist of both overview-like and research-oriented lecture presentations as well as panel discussions. Below is the list of speakers (in alphabetical order) and titles: Z. Sage Chen (NYU), Multiplicative couplings facilitate learning and flexibility in recurrent neural circuits Rui Ponte Costa (Oxford), Learning across the brain: a NeuroAI perspective Tatiana Engel (Princeton), Closing the discovery loop with digital twins and causal perturbations Michael M. Halassa (Tufts), Thalamocortical architectures for cognitive control and flexibility Daniel Levenstein (MIla/McGill), NeuroAI as a platform for theory development: lessons from hippocampal representation and replay Kevin Miller (Google Deepmind), Automatically discovering neuroscience theories from data Gaspard Oliviers (Oxford), Bidirectional predictive coding: Towards robust inference and versatile learning in the brain Seng Song (Tsinghua), Brain inspired learning rules and evolutionary computing Naoshige Uchida (Harvard), Distributional reinforcement learning in the brain We are looking forward to your participation and discussion. Zhe Sage Chen, PhD ------------------------------------------------------------ This email message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain information that is proprietary, confidential, and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you have received this email in error please notify the sender by return email and delete the original message. Please note, the recipient should check this email and any attachments for the presence of viruses. The organization accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email. =================================

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CNS*2025 workshop 'The computational logic of predictive processes'
by aurelio cortese June 25, 2025

June 25, 2025

Dear Colleagues, We are excited to announce the workshop "The computational logic of predictive processes: a 25-year perspective" at *CNS*2025*, which will take place on *July 9* in *Florence*, Italy. This workshop will provide a platform to discuss new data and theories on adaptive decision-making and learning. Talks will cover the neurobiological and computational basis of learning and flexible behaviours in humans, non-human primates and rodents, as well as work using artificial neural networks to gain deeper insight into these novel mechanisms. Details about the program can be found on our workshop page <https://docs.google.com/document/d/113IeafkwqqYiOSHTyFNfY80v2ObbOzwOvL3uUvS…> . Below is the list of *confirmed speakers*: Abhishek Banerjee (Oxford University / Queen Mary University of London, UK) Andrea Benucci (Queen Mary University of London, UK) Aurelio Cortese (ATR Institute International, Japan) Armin Lak (Oxford University, UK) Silvia Maggi (University of Nottingham, UK) Rohan Rao (Newcastle University / Oxford University, UK) Erin Rich (New York University, USA) Matthias Tsai (Bern University, Switzerland) Please feel free to share this with anyone you think may be interested. We are looking forward to seeing you soon in Florence! Best wishes from Oxford, Kyoto, Nottingham, and New York, Abhi, Aurelio, Silvia, and Erin

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Summer School on Computational Decision Sciences – 8-12 September 2025, London
by Sidarus, Nura June 25, 2025

June 25, 2025

Dear all, It’s my pleasure to announce the Summer School on Computational Decision Sciences (SS-CDS)––the first summer school of the Center for Decision Sciences at Royal Holloway, University of London. https://center-decision-sciences.com/cds-summer-school/ What SS-CDS will bring together an interdisciplinary audience tackling decision making in different scientific fields. The focus is on mathematical and computational modelling, integrating concepts and methods from mathematical psychology, computational psychiatry, computational neuroscience, computational social sciences, machine learning, and cultural evolution. Attendees will benefit from content talks from international leading researchers and practical hands-on sessions. Attendees will also have the opportunity to deliver presentations, receive career advice during social networking events, and reflect critically about research practices in EDI sessions. Where and When SS-CDS will take place at Stewart House, within Senate House, in Central London, on September 8th-12th . Target audience SS-CDS is targeted towards attendees from diverse fields (e.g., psychology, neuroscience, social sciences, computer science, etc.) and career stages (masters, PhD, postdoc, and junior PI). Prerequisite A basic background knowledge in elementary statistics (e.g., probability theory) and programming in Python/R is highly recommended to master the technical skills, but no prior experience with computational modelling is required. Registration Thanks to generous funding provided by the British Academy and the Department of Psychology at Royal Holloway attendance to SS-CDS is free of charge. However, places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis until capacity is reached. To sign up, fill out this form<https://qualtricsxm4dv86z4fr.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6RpfZELVTnSDzH8> by Monday, August 11th, at 10am UK time. Please feel free to share this information with anyone you think might be interested in participating. Looking forward to seeing you all in September. Best wishes, Gabriele, Andreu, Nura, Anand This email, its contents and any attachments are intended solely for the addressee and may contain confidential information. In certain circumstances, it may also be subject to legal privilege. Any unauthorised use, disclosure, or copying is not permitted. If you have received this email in error, please notify us and immediately and permanently delete it. Any views or opinions expressed in personal emails are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Royal Holloway, University of London. It is your responsibility to ensure that this email and any attachments are virus free.

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[Announcement] New Calcium Imaging Analysis Framework: OptiNiSt
by Yukako Yamane June 25, 2025

June 25, 2025

Dear Neuroscience Community, We are pleased to announce the publication of a paper describing OptiNiSt (Optical Neuroimage Studio), a new open-source framework for calcium imaging data analysis. OptiNiSt was developed as part of the AMED(Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development) Brain/MINDS project. Article: https://journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol/article?id=10.1371/journal.pcbi.1013… OptiNiSt is a flexible and reproducible pipeline construction tool that supports calcium imaging data analysis. Featuring an intuitive graphical user interface, it facilitates data sharing and standardization of analysis workflows across research groups. GitHub (source code): https://github.com/oist/optinist Documentation & Tutorials: https://optinist.readthedocs.io/en/latest/ We hope OptiNiSt will be a helpful tool for your research. Feedback and questions are always welcome. Best regards, Yukako Yamane (yukako.yamane(a)oist.jp) & Kenji Doya Neural Computation Unit Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST)

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CNS*2025 Workshop "Brains and AI" - Speaker Lineup and Schedule
by Vassilis Cutsuridis June 24, 2025

June 24, 2025

Dear Colleagues, We are excited to announce the upcoming *CNS*2025 Workshop* *"Brains and AI"*, to be held on *Wednesday, July 9, 2025, in Florence, Italy*. This workshop will explore the intersection of neuroscience and artificial intelligence - bringing together researchers applying AI to brain data and those leveraging insights from neuroscience to build better AI systems. https://users.sussex.ac.uk/~tn41/CNS2025_workshop/ <https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fusers.sus…> Advances in neuroscience techniques have dramatically increased the volume of data we can now collect from animal and human brains. However, this surge in data has introduced new challenges in extracting meaningful insights. Fortunately, these developments have coincided with breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI), which holds the potential to transform how we analyze and utilize scientific information. While there is significant potential here, we are just starting to figure out how to apply modern AI models to interpret and process scientific data, and significant challenges remain. The trend of applying AI to better understand the brain concurs with another reviving trend: applying knowledge from neuroscience to developing new AI. Indeed, despite the tremendous progress, the existing generation of AI shows significant limitations, including a lack of continual learning, poor generalization, dependence on enormous amounts of data for training, bias, and safety problems. These are features where the biological brain excels, highlighting the strong need to learn once more from neuroscience how to develop the next generation of AI. The proposed workshop will combine these two complementary trends, bringing experts from the field together to discuss how AI can facilitate new scientific discoveries and how knowledge of the brain can help improve AI. Below is the list of confirmed speakers: - Fleur Zeldenrust - Vassilis Cutsuridis - Spyridon Chavlis - Andreas Tolias *(online)* - Robert Legenstein - Max Garagnani - Martin Trefzer - Julian Göltz - Maxim Bazhenov - Dhireesha Kudithipudi - Thomas Nowotny The workshop will conclude with a panel discussion and open debate. We look forward to your participation in what promises to be a thought-provoking and engaging event. Thomas Nowotny, Vassilis Cutsuridis, Maxim Bazhenov

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NEURON and NetPyNE tutorial at CNS*2025, July 5, 2025
by McDougal, Robert June 24, 2025

June 24, 2025

Dear colleagues, This July 5th, there will be a “Building mechanistic multiscale models with NEURON and NetPyNE” tutorial at CNS*2025, all day in room 6. To attend, please be sure you have registered for the tutorials at the conference: https://www.cnsorg.org/cns-2025-registration This tutorial will introduce multiscale modeling using NEURON 9.0 and NetPyNE. The tutorial will combine background, examples and hands on exercises covering the implementation of models at four key scales: * single neuron electrophysiology (e.g. action potential propagation), * intracellular dynamics (e.g. calcium buffering, protein interactions), * neurons in extracellular space (e.g. spreading depression), and * networks of neurons. For single cell simulations, we will utilize NEURON through Python, simulating point cells and incorporating realistic morphology information from NeuroMorpho.Org. For network simulations, we will use NetPyNE, a high-level interface to NEURON supporting both programmatic and GUI specification that facilitates the development, parallel simulation, and analysis of biophysically detailed neuronal circuits. We conclude with an example that links intracellular molecular dynamics with network spiking activity and local field potentials. The NetPyNE tutorial will be carried out online using the Open Source Brain web platform (http://v2.opensourcebrain.org) and will include an introduction to NeuroML, a standardized computational neuroscience language to describe detailed models of neurons and neural networks. The tutorial highlights recent substantial developments and new features in both NEURON and NetPyNE. Basic familiarity (e.g. loops, functions, variables, if) with Python is recommended. No advanced programming experience or prior knowledge of NEURON or NetPyNE is required. Speakers will include: Salvador Dura-Bernal, William W Lytton, Robert A McDougal, and Adam JH Newton Preliminary Schedule: 09:00 -0 9:20 Introduction to multiscale modeling (WWL) 09:20 - 10:10 NEURON scripting (RAM) 10:10 - 10:40 Coffee break 10:40 - 12:00 Reaction-diffusion simulations (AJHN) 12:00 - 13:00 Lunch break 13:00 - 14:30 NetPyNE graphical web application (SD) 14:30 - 15:00 Coffee break 15:00 - 16:00 NetPyNE scripting (SD) Best regards, Robert McDougal

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Fwd: Deadline approaching: PhD student using machine learning to understand high-dimensional visual category learning
by Leni Wei June 24, 2025

June 24, 2025

> Begin forwarded message: > > From: "Caspar M. Schwiedrzik" <Caspar.Schwiedrzik(a)ruhr-uni-bochum.de> > Subject: Deadline approaching: PhD student using machine learning to understand high-dimensional visual category learning > Date: 23 June 2025 at 16:23:18 CEST > To: comp-neuro(a)lists.cnsorg.org, announcements(a)lists.cognitivesciencesociety.org > > We are looking for a highly motivated PhD student using machine learning to understand high-dimensional visual category learning. > > The Department of Cognitive Neurobiology of Caspar Schwiedrzik at > Ruhr-University Bochum is looking for an outstanding PhD student with > expertise in computational cognitive neuroscience and/or deep learning > to join our team to the neural basis of mental flexibility. The > project investigates neural mechanisms of high-dimensional visual > category learning, utilizing computational approaches as well as > neuroimaging and neurophysiology in humans and macaque monkeys, > respectively. It is funded by an ERC Consolidator Grant (Acronym > DimLearn; “Flexible Dimensionality of Representational Spaces in > Category Learning”). The PhD student’s project will focus on > developing deep learning “digital twin” models based on neural and/or > behavioral data to investigate flexible multi-task learning. > > The lab seeks to understand the cortical basis and computational > principles of perception and experience-dependent plasticity in the > brain. To this end, we use a multimodal approach including fMRI-guided > electrophysiological recordings in rodents and non-human primates, and > fMRI and iEEG in humans. See https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2023.01.011 > and https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-51543-y for recent examples of > our work. The PhD student will play a key role in our research efforts > in this area. The lab is located at Ruhr-University Bochum > (https://www.rub.de) and the German Primate Center > (http://www.dpz.eu) At both locations, the lab is embedded into > interdisciplinary research centers with international faculty and > students pursuing cutting-edge research in cognitive and computational > neuroscience. The PhD student will have access to dedicated computing > infrastructure, including high performance computing clusters. The > project will be conducted in close collaboration with the labs of > Fabian Sinz (https://sinzlab.org) Alexander Gail > (https://www.dpz.eu/sensomotorik) and Igor Kagan > (http://igorkagan.org) The main site for this part of the project > will be Bochum. Ruhr-University Bochum provides a vibrant and > stimulating neuroscience community with a strong community in > computational as well as experimental neurosciences. The PhD student > will have the opportunity to join the International Graduate School > for Neuroscience (https://www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/igsn/index.html) or > the International Graduate School of Biosciences > (https://www.biologie.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/biodek/promotion/index.html.en) > > Please find the official job ad and further information here: > https://jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/318eb740a64696cad9cbeb78dfa84802… > > -- > Prof. Dr. Caspar M. Schwiedrzik > > Abteilung Kognitive Neurobiologie > Research Center One Health Ruhr > University Alliance Ruhr > Fakultät für Biologie und Biotechnologie > Ruhr-Universität Bochum > > NDEF 05/348, Fach 59 > Universitätsstraße 150 > 44801 Bochum > > Telefon +49 234 32 15220 > > caspar.schwiedrzik(a)rub.de > www.rub.de/

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SiNAPSA Neuroscience Conference '25 (17.-19. Sept, Ljubljana) - abstract submission deadline approaching
by Nina Omejc June 24, 2025

June 24, 2025

Dear colleagues, We are delighted to invite you to the Sinapsa Neuroscience Conference ’25 <https://www.sinapsa.org/SNC25>, which will take place from 17 to 19 September 2025 at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. The conference programme <https://www.sinapsa.org/snc25/media/schedule/Schedule-SNC25_v20250610.pdf> includes plenary lectures, thematic symposia, poster presentations, an educational workshop, and a public consultation. The program will offer a comprehensive insight into neuroscience with diverse topics ranging from molecular and cellular mechanisms to systemic, clinical, and cognitive neuroscience. The deadline for abstract submission <https://www.sinapsa.org/SNC25/call-for-abstracts> is 30 June 2025. For more information, please visit the conference website at www.sinapsa.org/snc25 <http://www.sinapsa.org/snc25>. Hope to see you in Ljubljana in September! SiNAPSA Neuroscience Conference ’25 Organizing committee www.sinapsa.org/snc25 <http://www.sinapsa.org/snc25>

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CNS*2025 Workshop "Enabling synaptic plasticity, structural plasticity, and multi-scale modeling with morphologically detailed neurons using Arbor"
by Jannik Luboeinski June 23, 2025

June 23, 2025

Dear Colleagues, * * we are pleased to announce the workshop "*Enabling synaptic plasticity, structural plasticity, and multi-scale modeling with morphologically detailed neurons using Arbor*", which will take place at *CNS*2025* on *Wednesday, 9 July*, in Florence, Italy. Current computational neuroscience studies are often limited to a single scale or simulator, with many still relying on standalone simulation code due to computational power and technology constraints. Simulations incorporating biophysical properties and neural morphology typically focus on single neurons or small networks, while large-scale neural network simulations often resort to point neurons as a compromise to incorporate plasticity and cell diversity. Whole-brain simulations, on the other hand, frequently sacrifice details at the individual neuron and network composition levels. This workshop introduces recent advances leveraging the next-generation simulator Arbor (https://arbor-sim.org/) designed to overcome these challenges. Arbor enables seamless conversion from the widely used NEURON simulator, facilitates the study of functional and structural plasticity in large neural networks with detailed morphology, and supports multi-scale modeling through co-simulation, integrating microscopic and macroscopic levels of simulation. Arbor is a library optimized for efficient, scalable neural simulations by utilizing both GPU and CPU resources. It supports the simulation of both individual neurons and large-scale networks while maintaining detailed biophysical properties and morphological complexity. The workshop will feature presentations covering three key aspects: * *Effortless transition from NEURON to Arbor:* Beatriz Herrera will introduce the SONATA format, which simplifies the migration process and enables cross-simulator validation, ensuring a smooth transition to Arbor for researchers familiar with NEURON. * *Plasticity simulations with Arbor:* In two talks, Jannik Luboeinski and Felix Wolf will present Arbor’s capabilities in modeling calcium-based functional plasticity as well as calcium-based distance-dependent structural plasticity, providing insights into synaptic and structural changes. * *Multi-scale co-simulation with TVB:* Thanos Manos will demonstrate Arbor’s co-simulation capabilities with The Virtual Brain (TVB) platform, illustrating the study of epilepsy propagation as an example of multi-scale modeling. The workshop will conclude with an *interactive coding session*, offering participants hands-on experience with Arbor and an opportunity to apply the presented concepts. We look forward to meeting you at the workshop, where we expect fruitful exchange and interesting discussions! Best regards, Thorsten Hater, Han Lu, Jannik Luboeinski

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