Understanding Neuronal Networks

The podcast highlights the current understanding of individual neuron functions versus the collective behavior of neurons in networks. While significant progress has been made in understanding how single neurons receive signals and generate action potentials, the intricacies of how interconnected neurons operate together in a network remain largely unexplored. Researchers have insight into general properties of neural networks, such as the balance of excitation and inhibition, but lack comprehensive models that illustrate the specific dynamics of different cortical areas. This gap emphasizes the need for advancing computational neuroscience to develop mathematical models that link individual neuron activity to broader cognitive functions.