Connectionists: Workshop on Neural Information Dynamics, Causality and Computation near Criticality (FIAS Frankfurt)

[Demian Battaglia]

Dear colleagues,

please find below an invitation to a joint workshop by LOEWE-NeFF and
the Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies (FIAS).

Best Regards,
Michael Wibral
Matthias Kaschube


-----------------------

LOEWE-NeFF and  the Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies (FIAS)
jointly invite you to a

“Workshop on Neural Information Dynamics,
Causality and Computation near Criticality”
December 12-13th, 2014

The workshop is preceded by a
“Software course on Neural Information Dynamics
with TRENTOOL, the Java Information Dynamics Toolkit and MuTE”
December 10-11th, 2014

Venue: Workshop and student course will be held at the Frankfurt
Institute for Advanced Studies (FIAS, www.fias.uni-frankfurt.de),
Ruth-Moufang-Straße 1, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany


The workshop addresses the analysis of neural computation in large
neural systems and covers three tightly related topics in the field of
modern analysis of neural data:

Causality
The analysis of causal interactions yields important insights into the
biophysical substrate of neural dynamics that enable emergent
computation. It is one of the goals of the workshop to discuss the link
between causal analysis and the analyses of information processing
proper, in order to clarify the dividing line and the mutual benefit of
these two types of analyses.

Neural information dynamics
Information theoretic quantities separate and measure key elements of
distributed computation in neural systems, such as the storage,
transfer, and modification of information. These concepts can help to
better understand the computational algorithms implemented by the
dynamics of a neural system, providing the link between these algorithms
and their biophysical implementation.

Large scale organisation and criticality
Neural systems orchestrate the activity of a large number of
interacting neurons to achieve their computational capabilities. Recent
advances in recording technology make it possible to reveal the activity
patterns of hundreds of neurons distributed across the brain. This
offers the unique opportunity to identify the large-scale organising
principles of neural activity, such as operation near a critical point,
that support computation in the system.

Confirmed speakers:
Adam Barrett
Demian Battaglia
Sakyasingha Dasgupta
Luca Faes
Esther Florin
Moritz Grosse-Wentrup
Andreea Lazar
Anna Levina
Daniele Marinazzo
Oliver Obst
Gordon Pipa
Alberto Porta
Viola Priesemann
Karin Schiecke
Raul Vicente

The supporting software course addresses young scientists who intend to
apply information theoretic measures for neuroscience hands on, and that
would like to contribute code to one of the open source toolboxes on the
topic. Some minimal experience with MATLAB or GNU-Octave is necessary
for participation. Some prior knowledge in information theory is a plus.
Applications for the student course should include a brief statement of
motivation.

Student course faculty:
Alessandro Montalto (MuTE)
Michael Wibral (TRENTOOL, Java Information Dynamics Toolkit)
Patricia Wollstadt (TRENTOOL)

----------------------------------------------------------

Please apply/register by email before October 24th to
wibral at em.uni-frankfurt.de
as places for course and workshop are limited.

Registration fees
Student course: 50,00 EUR
Workshop: 75,00 EUR
Course+Workshop: 100,00 EUR

Upon successful registration please wire the registration fees to:

Account holder: Universitätsklinikum
Account: 37 99 99, BLZ: 50050201
IBAN: DE 32 500 502 01 0000 37 9999
SWIFT-Code: HELADEF 1822
Reference: 21000521
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