Research summary
The human brain contains nearly a hundred billion brain cells, or neurons. These neurons form networks in a myriad of ways that allow us to think, speak and solve problems. But how they form networks to perform these diverse behaviours remains unknown. Although we have replicated brain-like problem solving in artificial networks of neurons, the mystery of how neural connections lead to functions stymies even these man-made circuits.
Dr. Wilten Nicola, Canada Research Chair in Computational Neuroscience, is devoted to solving this puzzle. He and his research team are using techniques in computational neuroscience, applied mathematics, and dynamical systems theory to determine how neurons form networks to create behaviours.