A brand new tool devoted to simplifying complex neuron models

Scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the EPFL Blue Brain Project have developed 'Neuron_Reduce', a new computational tool that provides the scientific community with a straightforward capability to simplify complex neuron models of any cell type and still faithfully preserve its input-output properties while significantly reducing simulation run-time. Detailed neuron models consisting of thousands of synapses are key for understanding the computational properties of single neurons and large neuronal networks, and for interpreting experimental results. Simulations of these models are however, computationally expensive (using lots of computing hours), which considerably decreases their utility. For the first time, Scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the EPFL Blue Brain Project have formulated a unique analytical approach to the challenge of reducing the complexity of neuron models while retaining their key input/output functions and their computational capabilities. Reduced models of neurons and networks form a bridge between the highly detailed models capturing minute experimental detail and the simpler models that lend themselves more easily to theoretical interpretation at the cost of missing important details. These bridging models significantly reduce the amount of computation time as well as storage that are needed for detailed neuron models (and the networks they form) and lead to faster simulation time and a larger neuronal circuits that could be simulated.