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@INPROCEEDINGS{Diesmann:1029461,
author = {Diesmann, Markus},
title = {{L}arge-scale network models as digital twins advance
theory and neuromorphic computing},
reportid = {FZJ-2024-05136},
year = {2023},
abstract = {Simulation of large-scale neural networksIn this talk I
will criticize the present state of the field of
computational neuroscience by pointing out that minimal
models explain individual mechanisms, but do not confront
these ideas with the anatomical and physiological
constraints of the brain. The reduction to the bare
equations required provides researchers with few contact
points to build on these works and construct larger systems
with a wider explanatory scope. Furthermore, although the
brain is large, it has a finite number of elements, such
that downscaling the network size or taking limits to
infinity come with the risk of perturbing the correlation
structure. Why are larger models not routinely being built,
and why does computational neuroscience seem to be stuck at
a certain level of model complexity? There are multiple
reasons for this situation. On the conceptual level there is
a tradition in neuroscience to fund only hypothesis-driven
research; instrument-driven or platform-based research is
not common, although Nobel prizes are given for methods.
Additionally, constructing large-scale models goes beyond
the period of an individual PhD project. Possibly, doctoral
researchers may just be missing the digital tools to reuse
large-scale models and extend them reproducibly.
Nevertheless, simulation has firmly established itself in
neuroscience as a third pillar alongside experiment and
theory. With simulations, researchers can probe ideas beyond
what is presently treatable by analytical approaches or
accessible by experimental techniques. In addition,
simulation software has matured to a point where researchers
can collaborate by exchanging high-level model descriptions.
Digital workflows are becoming available which enable
researchers to collaborate on large-scale models as data
integration platforms. I argue that the change of
perspective required is to view software as scientific
infrastructure with all consequences for the requirements on
quality, long-term availability, and support.As a concrete
example, I discuss how the universality of mammalian cortex
has acted as a motivation to construct large-scale models,
and demonstrate how digital tools have helped to reproduce
results and increase the confidence in such models. The
accessibility of benchmark models drives further modeling
work, but also influences technological developments in the
field of neuromorphic computing.Einevoll GT, Destexhe A,
Diesmann M, Grün S, Jirsa V, de Kamps M, Migliore M, Ness
TV, Plesser HE, Schürmann F (2019) The Scientific Case for
Brain Simulations. Neuron 102:735-744. DOI:
10.1016/j.neuron.2019.03.027Aimone JB, Awile O, Diesmann M,
Knight JC, Nowotny T, Schürmann F (2023) Editorial:
Neuroscience, Computing, Performance, and Benchmarks: Why It
Matters to Neuroscience How Fast We Can Compute. Front.
Neuroinform 17. DOI: 10.3389/fninf.2023.1157418keywords:
simulation as third pillar, software as infrastructure,
universality of cortex, cortical microcircuit, multi-area
model, neuromorphic computing},
month = {Oct},
date = {2023-10-05},
organization = {Workshop "MPI and NEST GPU", Cagliari
(Italy), 5 Oct 2023 - 6 Oct 2023},
subtyp = {Invited},
cin = {IAS-6 / INM-6 / INM-10},
cid = {I:(DE-Juel1)IAS-6-20130828 / I:(DE-Juel1)INM-6-20090406 /
I:(DE-Juel1)INM-10-20170113},
pnm = {5232 - Computational Principles (POF4-523) / HBP SGA3 -
Human Brain Project Specific Grant Agreement 3 (945539) /
BMBF 03ZU1106CB - NeuroSys: Algorithm-Hardware Co-Design
(Projekt C) - B (BMBF-03ZU1106CB) / ACA - Advanced Computing
Architectures (SO-092) / HBP - The Human Brain Project
(604102) / EBRAINS 2.0 - EBRAINS 2.0: A Research
Infrastructure to Advance Neuroscience and Brain Health
(101147319)},
pid = {G:(DE-HGF)POF4-5232 / G:(EU-Grant)945539 /
G:(DE-Juel1)BMBF-03ZU1106CB / G:(DE-HGF)SO-092 /
G:(EU-Grant)604102 / G:(EU-Grant)101147319},
typ = {PUB:(DE-HGF)31},
url = {https://juser.fz-juelich.de/record/1029461},
}