NEURON Workshop Announcement

[Kathleen Clinton]

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NEURON Workshop Announcement
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Michael Hines and Ted Carnevale of Yale University will conduct a
three to five day workshop on NEURON, a computer code that simulates
neural systems.  The workshop will be held from August 20-24, 2001 at
the University of Minnesota Supercomputing Institute in Minneapolis,
Minnesota.  Registration is open to students and researchers from
academic, corporate, and industrial organizations. Space is still
available, and registrations will be accepted on a first-come,
first-serve basis.

**Topics and Format**

Participants may attend the workshop for three or five days.  The
first three days cover material necessary for the most common
applications in neuroscience research and education.  The fourth and
fifth days deal with advanced topics of users whose projects may
require problem-specific customizations. IBM will provide computers
with Windows and Linux platforms.

Days 1 - 3

"Fundamentals of Using the NEURON Simulation Environment"

The first three days will cover the material that is required for
informed use of the NEURON simulation environment.  The emphasis will
be on applying the graphical interface, which enables maximum
productivity and conceptual control over models while at the same time
reducing or eliminating the need to write code.  Participants will be
building their own models from the start of the course.  By the end of
the third day they will be well prepared to use NEURON on their own to
explore a wide range of neural phenomena.

Topics will include:
Integration methods
  --accuracy, stability, and computational efficiency
  --fixed order, fixed timestep integration
  --global and local variable order, variable timestep integration
Strategies for increasing computational efficiency.
Using NEURON's graphical interface to
  --construct models of individual neurons with architectures that
     range from the simplest spherical cell to detailed models
     based on quantitative morphometric data (the CellBuilder).
  --construct models that combine neurons with electronic
     instrumentation (i.e. capacitors, resistors, amplifiers,
     current sources and voltage sources) (the Linear Circuit Builder).
  --construct network models that include artificial neurons,
     model cells with anatomical and biophysical properties,
     and hybrid nets with both kinds of cells (the Network Builder).
  --control simulations.
  --display simulation results as functions of time and space.
  --analyze simulation results.
  --analyze the electrotonic properties of neurons.
Adding new biophysical mechanisms.
Uses of the Vector class such as
  --synthesizing custom stimuli
  --analyzing experimental data
  --recording and analyzing simulation results
Managing modeling projects.

Days 4 and 5

"Beyond the GUI"

The fourth and fifth days deal with advanced topics for users whose
projects may require problem-specific customizations.

Topics will include:
Advanced use of the CellBuilder, Network Builder,
  and Linear Circuit Builder.
When and how to modify model specification, initialization,
  and NEURON's main computational loop.
Exploiting special features of the Network Connection class
  for efficient implementation of use-dependent synaptic
  plasticity.
Using NEURON's tools for optimizing models.
Parallelizing computations.
Using new features of the extracellular mechanism for
  --extracellular stimulation and recording
  --implementation of gap junctions and ephaptic interactions
Developing new GUI tools.

**Registration**

For academic or government employees the registration fee is $155 for
the first three days and $245 for the full five days.  These fees are
$310 and $490, respectively, for corporate or industrial
participants. Registration forms can be obtained at
http://www.compneuro.umn.edu/NEURONregistration.html or from the
workshop coordinator, Kathleen Clinton, at clinton at compneuro.umn.edu
or (612) 625-8424.

**Lodging**

Out-of-town participants may stay at the Holiday Inn Metrodome in
Minneapolis.  It is within walking distance of the Supercomputing
Institute.  Participants are responsible for making their own hotel
reservations.  When making reservations, participants should state
that they are attending the NEURON Workshop.  A small block of rooms
is available until July 28, 2001.  Reservations can be arranged by
calling (800) 448-3663 or (612) 333-4646.