Navigating Complexity: Understanding and Trust in Neuroscience Models

Computational neuroscientists rely on simplification when they make their models. But what is the right level of simplification?

When should we, for example, use a biophysically detailed model and when a simplified abstract model when modelling neural dynamics? What are the problems of simplifying too much, or too little? 

 This was the topic of the panel discussion between a science philosopher (MC), author of the recent book “The Brain Abstracted”, and an experienced modeler (TS) at the FENS Regional Meeting in Oslo in June 2025.