Connectionists: 2nd Call for CNS 07 workshop

[Vassilis Cutsuridis]

************************** Second Call for participation 
************************

Workshop on Cortical Microcircuits: Structure, Function and Theory

Toronto, Canada, 11-12 July, 2007
http://www.cnsorg.org/cns_meeting_workshops.htm


Description:
============
To understand how perception, action, learning and memory work, we need to 
gather data from multiple levels of complexity and from various brain states 
(normal and diseased). We need to identify the neuronal groups involved in 
these functions, identify their different types of neurons, draw detailed 
circuit diagrams, determine the forms of synaptic transmission and 
plasticity between different neurons and study the dynamics of the cortical 
microcircuits at the cellular and synaptic level that comprise these 
neuronal groups. Mathematical and computer models are then essential in 
exploring how these microcircuits can account for a given function.

The goal of the present workshop is to bring together experts from 
experimental and computational neuroscience in order to review some of the 
ongoing experimental and theoretical research concerning cortical 
microcircuits with particular emphasis on the functional roles of the 
various inhibitory interneurons in the pertinent information processing.


Topics:
=======
Specific topics will include (but are not limited to):

  a.. Microcircuit architectures
    a.. Neocortex
    b.. Hippocampus
    c.. Sensory and motor systems
  b.. Cross-comparison of architectures from different brain areas
  c.. Identified functionality of specific microcircuits
  d.. Identified functionality of specific neuronal types
  e.. Plasticity and learning

Format and Attendance:
=================
The workshop will consist of:

Short Presentations: A number of selected speakers will be invited to give 
short presentations of their work and/or ideas to be followed by extensive 
discussion.

Panel Discussion: Our invited speakers will be asked to engage each other on
the various issues concerning cortical microcircuits at the end of the 
workshop. The audience will be strongly encouraged to participate in the 
discussion.

Workshop will run for either one half or a whole day, depending on interest. 
Attendance is open to all CNS attendees, whether or not an abstract is 
submitted (see below).


Submission:
===========
Prospective attendees are invited to submit a short abstract (100-200 words) 
on the topics outlined above or other related issues. Speakers will be 
selected by the organisers on the basis of these abstracts. Both position 
and technical reports will be considered for this workshop. To promote a 
lively event, with plenty of discussion, the organizers are very interested 
in papers taking strong positions on the issues listed above.

Submissions should be made electronically in plain text, PDF or Postscript 
format and should be sent (no later than May 1st) by email to Vassilis 
Cutsuridis or Bruce Graham:

vcu at cs.stir.ac.uk or b.graham at cs.stir.ac.uk


Organizers:
===========
Vassilis Cutsuridis
Department of Computing Science and Mathematics
University of Stirling
Stirling FK9 4LA
U.K.
Email: vcu at cs.stir.ac.uk

Bruce P. Graham
Department of Computing Science and Mathematics
University of Stirling
Stirling FK9 4LA
U.K.
Email: b.graham at cs.stir.ac.uk


Workshop Website:
=================
http://www.cnsorg.org/cns_meeting_workshops.htm





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-- 
The University of Stirling is a university established in Scotland by
charter at Stirling, FK9 4LA.  Privileged/Confidential Information may
be contained in this message.  If you are not the addressee indicated
in this message (or responsible for delivery of the message to such
person), you may not disclose, copy or deliver this message to anyone
and any action taken or omitted to be taken in reliance on it, is
prohibited and may be unlawful.  In such case, you should destroy this
message and kindly notify the sender by reply email.  Please advise
immediately if you or your employer do not consent to Internet email
for messages of this kind.