Connectionists: CNS 07 workshop

[Vassilis Cutsuridis]

************************** 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





-- 
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.